He took from his pocket a powerful magnifying glass, and, adjusting the light properly, again stared hard at the ash mark. This time he was rewarded for his patience by a discovery. Clearly defined, was the shape of a foot. In the one place where the smudge was pronounced, as well as around it, the detective made out the impress. It was very indistinct over most of its area, but certainly was there, now that he had the magnifier to help him. “So far, good! But how did he get up here, and again, how did he get away. If he didn’t get up from the ground below the balcony, which way did he come?” Nick Carter still held his magnifying glass and flash in his fingers, as he reflected, his gaze fell upon the top of the railing at the end of the balcony. “I see now, I believe!” he murmured. The flash had thrown its light upon the railing, and quickly he brought his glass into play at the same spot. A smile of satisfaction spread over his keen features, and he carefully looked all along the railing. “He stood on this railing. But apparently with only one foot. What does that mean? Where did he go? How did he get here? Hello! What are these splinters of wood? There has been a plank laid on the railing. Yes, here is some of the paint scraped off.” He turned off his flash, and stood in the darkness, considering. The voice of Chick came from below: “Hello, chief! Are you there?” “Yes,” answered Nick guardedly. “What have you found?” “Nothing much. But it may have something to do with the case that the next house to this is empty. The people who live here are away--gone to California for two months. Went a week ago. Ruggins told me.” “Ruggins? Oh, yes--the butler. Well? Has anybody been seen in the house since the family went? I suppose there is a caretaker?” “Yes. There is an old man who lives there by himself. But he hasn’t been seen for three days. That’s what I wanted to tell you.” “Any lights in the house?” “Yes. The light in the room the old man uses, in the basement, has been going to-night. Before that it was dark. Now it is dark again.” “Come up here, Chick, to the study. I’ll open the door.” Nick Carter went through the window, carefully closing it and pulling the heavy curtains back into place. Then he opened the door, and, as soon as Chick was inside, closed it again. “The servants are kind of scared,” said Chick. “But I think that is only because they know Mr. Anderton is lying dead in his bedroom. Only Ruggins and one of the maids know he was killed, and they are keeping their mouths shut.” “I hope they are,” remarked Nick coldly. “You can depend on that. Ruggins is a close-mouthed fellow, and he has the girl hypnotized, I think. She has an idea he is the greatest ever, and he can make her do anything. I heard some of the other maids talking about Ruggins and Amelia going to be married next spring.”