"I hoped for a brief rest, and an enjoyable visit, old friend," returned
Keene.
"It seems that it is not to be. I seem destined to be forever on the
trail of some criminal. Poor little Victoria. When I saw her last she was
a pretty, playful child. I cannot conceive of a heart wicked enough to
take such an innocent life."
"It was done for plunder?"
"Do you think so?"
"I had two hundred dollars in the bureau. That was taken."
"Yes."
"That convinces me that my poor sister was murdered so that the villain
could rob the house."
"I am not sure of that."
"No?"
"This robbery may be only a blind."
"Do you think so?"
"I will not say that. It will never do to jump at conclusions. My
suspicions, if I have any, turn toward that man who just left us."
"August Bordine?"
"Yes. He evidently wrote that letter. In a fit of jealousy, he may have
struck the blow."
Ransom Vane was silent.
He had thought of this himself, and yet it did not seem possible that his
friend could be such a demon. The detective must be left to take his own
course, however.
Pages:
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34