“I haven’t seen it since till now.” “It was on the floor, almost at the touch of Miss Langdon’s hand.” “The one which hung down--had the glove on?” “Yes.” “You are mistaken, sir.” “What do you mean?” “I noticed the hand with the glove on when I went to look at her. There was no pistol near it.” “You may not have noticed it.” “I would have seen it if it had been there,” insisted Jack. With a caution to the lad to keep sealed lips for a day or two Nick dismissed him. CHAPTER VI. WHAT THE STRANGE WOMAN SAW FROM ACROSS THE STREET. The janitor was the next person called and questioned. “You take charge of the offices every evening to clean them out and lock them up, do you not?” asked Nick. “I do, sir.” “What time do you generally begin that work?” “Usually right after five o’clock, when Mr. Redway leaves.” “But you did not come to these offices at five o’clock to-day, nor yet as early as half-past five?” “True, sir. I had been asked to wait till six o’clock.” “Asked to wait till six? By whom?” “By Miss Langdon, God rest her soul!” “Did she say why she wanted you to wait?” “She said she would be busy till that time.” Nick’s mind instantly reverted to the type-written message which had summoned him to the place of the tragedy. “Besides sir,” continued the janitor, “Mr. Redway did not leave at five o’clock as usual.” “How do you know that?” “I saw him go downstairs five minutes after the elevator stopped, and it stopped at five o’clock.” “This is important information. Did you see him come up again?” “No, sir; but somebody came up about five minutes after he went down, for I heard the man’s steps. I was busy in an office two floors below, however, and didn’t look out to see who it was.” “Were there any other persons in the building at that time?” “Only the three persons out there in that room. They occupy offices two flights above, and are here every day till six o’clock.” “Did you hear a pistol shot?” “No, sir, I did not.” “Isn’t that strange?” “It does seem so, sir.” “Was there any unusual noise about the time the shot may have been fired?” “Only once, sir.” “What was the noise?” “A wagon loaded with bar iron passed on the street below and made a great clatter.” “About what time was that?” “Near five o’clock.” “Before or after Redway went downstairs?” “Just before, if I remember rightly.” Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Grote and Miss Lucas were then called in together and questioned concerning what they knew of the affair. Neither had any knowledge which at first could throw light on the subject in hand. They had been at work in their offices, two floors above, and neither heard a pistol shot. “Do any of you remember the noise of a heavily loaded wagon which passed through the street below about five o’clock?” inquired Nick. Mr. Grote remembered it distinctly, and for a good reason.