“You want a rather clever man,” laughed Chief Watts, in his agreeable way. “I want a very clever man,” returned the lawyer pointedly. “As a matter of fact, Chief Watts, you are the man whose aid I would have liked to secure; but I am aware that your duties here make that impossible. Furthermore, this Moore lives out Lynn way, which is beyond the customary circle of your work.” “So it is, Mr. French.” “Can’t you loan me just such a man as I have described, however--one to whom I can impart some of the inside facts of this case, and who will quietly investigate it for my special benefit. I apprehend some little bother from the regular force of constables and police, who persistently cling to their own methods and views; and I want the help of a man who will pull in the harness with me, to some extent at least, and whose features are not very generally known.” “You want him to do this work on the quiet, I take it.” “Precisely.” “Have you visited the scene of the murder?” “No, not since the crime was committed, Chief Watts,” replied the lawyer. “This message was the first intimation I had of it. I at once wired Thorpe that I would come out to the Moore place this morning, and asked him to stay active investigations until I arrived. I then came directly here to make the request stated.” “Which leads me to infer that you already suspect some person of the crime, assuming one to have been committed,” said Chief Watts, looking up with a curious light in his eyes. “Well, I will admit----” “One moment, please. That’s neither here nor there. I do not wish to anticipate the work of any of my men.” “Have you such a one as I described?” asked the lawyer, with manifest eagerness. “A better one than you described, Mr. French,” nodded the chief, with an expressive upward glance at the face of the attorney; “for he is a young man who has qualities and abilities to which mere words cannot do justice. Moreover, if it is your wish, I will give him such assistance as may come in my way.” “It will be appreciated, I assure you.” “What is involved in this case, more than placing the crime where it belongs?” “A considerable fortune.” “The Moore estate?” “Precisely.” “When are you going down there?” “The sooner the better. If you will grant the favor I have asked, I would like to take the next train.” “Do so, by all means,” said Chief Watts, rising. “Garratt, send Sheridan Keene in here.” “Is he the officer to whom you referred?” asked the lawyer. “Yes, he is.” “I think I have heard the name before.” “You will hear it many times again, if he decides to continue the work he has begun. He is a young man of extraordinary----” But the sound of a firm step in the corridor, followed by the opening of the office door, led Chief Watts to suppress his complimentary utterances, and to turn, instead, to the person who entered--a tall, athletic young man, of about twenty-five years, with an erect and supple figure and noticeably refined and forceful face.