“So he did, but I left the station without taking the train and went to hunt up Mr. Woodford.” “Had you no other friend to whom you could go for advice and aid--one you knew better?” “One I knew better? Yes. But not one whom I thought I could trust, especially in this particular case.” “Why not in this particular case?” Mrs. Lock showed a little confusion, while she frankly replied: “Because the gentleman to whom I had become somewhat attached in a friendly way, and to whom I gave my confidence, has lately shown a disposition too much like that of a lover; indeed, he has gone to such an extent as to propose divorce and then marriage.” “That is quite interesting.” “He has even tempted me with the promise to find and restore to me my child, if I would reward him by eloping with him to some European country.” Nick was becoming intensely interested. “Of course I could not go to him for advice or aid in the case as you understand it, Mr. Carter.” “Of course not, Mrs. Lock. What is this--er--gentleman’s name?” “Oscar Gay.” It required all of the great detective’s powers of control to conceal from Mrs. Lock the intense satisfaction which the information gave him. “How did you come to know this Gay?” “We board at the same place on West Forty-sixth street.” “What is his business?” “He’s a lawyer.” “Where is his office?” “That I don’t know.” “Of course not,” muttered Nick. “Now, then, Mrs. Lock, you thought you saw your husband shoot that girl?” “God help me! Yes.” “Describe exactly what you saw.” “When I first went to the window, and sat down in plain view, I did not notice the office on the opposite side of the street. “The boy said Mr. Woodford would not be gone ten minutes, and I looked at my watch to see whether he told the truth.” “Good!” exclaimed Nick. “What time was it?” “Three minutes to five o’clock.” “Well?” “As I put my watch away, I looked across the street into the opposite window.” “What did you see?” “My husband and a girl, seemingly in some controversy. At that moment Victor looked across and saw me. “That was when I drew back into partial concealment. “Almost immediately afterward Victor crossed the room, and left by an opposite door. The girl sat down in a chair by a desk, and began to put on a glove. “Scarcely two minutes had passed, when, to my surprise, I saw my husband walk back into the office from the opposite door. “He came straight over toward the window, and seemed to be looking across at my window just for a moment. “For an instant he disappeared from my view. In a few moments he came directly in front of the window. I saw he had a pistol in his hand. “The girl was still busy with the glove. Without warning, he took deliberate aim, and fired. The girl fell back in the chair, and her head dropped forward on her chest.” “And he?”