to such matters I never inquired. But she's a thorough little
gentlewoman, and I'll defend her against any slander to my utmost
powers."

"And so will I," said Miss Gale. "I'm sure of her fineness of
character, and lovely nature--"

"But these opinions, ladies, don't help our inquiries," interrupted
Fenn. "What can you men tell us? What I want first, is to identify
this body, or, rather to learn more of R. Somers, and to find Miss Van
Allen. I can't hold an inquest until these points are cleared up.
Mason, have you found out anything?"

"No," said the inspector, returning from his long telephone quest. "I
called up four clubs. Norman Steele belongs to three of them, but
this man doesn't seem to belong to any. That is, there are Somerses
and even R. Somerses, but they all have middle names, and, too, their
description doesn't fit this Somers."

"Then Mr. Steele misrepresented him. Did you get Steele, Mason?"

"No, he wasn't at any of the clubs. I found his residence, a bachelor
apartment house, but he isn't there, either."

"Find Steele; find Miss Van Allen; find the maid, what's her
name--Julia?"

"Julie, she was always called," said Mrs. Reeves. "If Miss Van Allen
went away, I've no doubt Julie went with her. She is a most devoted
caretaker of her mistress."