until I study them. Walter, I wish you'd go over to my laboratory.
In the second right-hand drawer of my desk you'll find a package
of paper. I'd like to have it."

"Don't you think you ought to preserve the marks?" I heard Norton
hint, as I left. He had been watching Kennedy in open-eyed
amazement and interest.

"Exactly what I am sending Walter to do," he returned. "I have
some specially prepared paper that will take those dust marks up
and give me a perfect replica."

I hurried back as fast as I could, and Kennedy bent to the task of
preserving the marks.

"Have you any idea who might have an object in stealing the
dagger?" Kennedy asked, when he had finished.

Norton shrugged his shoulders. "I believe some weird superstitions
were connected with it," he replied. "It had a three-sided blade,
and, as I told you, both the blade and the hilt were covered with
peculiar markings."

There seemed to be nothing more that could be discovered from a
further examination of the Museum. It was plain enough that the
thief must have let himself out of a side door which had a spring
lock on it and closed itself. Not a mark or scratch was to be
found on any of the window or door locks; nothing else seemed to
have been disturbed.