CHAPTER V

THE SCHUYLER HOUSEHOLD


As for me, I began to collect my senses after the shock of learning
the true identity of the dead man. Though I had never met him,
Randolph Schuyler was a client and friend of my partner, Charles
Bradbury, and I suddenly felt a sort of personal responsibility of
action.

For one thing, I disliked the idea of Mr. Schuyler's wife and family
receiving the first tidings of the tragedy from the police. It seemed
to me a friend ought to break the news, if possible.

I said as much to Coroner Fenn, and he agreed.

"That's so," he said. "It'll be an awful errand. In the middle of the
night, too. If you're acquainted, suppose you go there with the boys,
Mr. Calhoun."

"I'm not personally acquainted, but Mr. Schuyler is my partner's
client, though there's been little business of his with our firm of
late. But, as a matter of humanity, I'll go, if you say so, and be of
any help I can."