“Why, he seemed to glance over toward my window, presenting his full face. Then he disappeared on the side of the window whence he came when he produced the pistol. “Almost directly after, he crossed the room once more, and again disappeared through the door by which he had entered. “Then I rushed out of Mr. Woodford’s office. “In my dire distress and anxiety to get my child away from him I came to you, having heard that you scarcely ever failed in work intrusted to your care.” “Well, you did the best thing you ever did in your life, Mrs. Lock, when you came to me.” “Why?” “Because you’ll save your husband’s honor, if not his life, and I think will regain not only your child, but his love also.” “My God! Do not taunt me!” “I speak the truth, Mrs. Lock. The man whom you saw commit the crime was not your husband.” “Not my husband? Why, the clothes--that long, blonde mustache--the light, long hair--surely----” “The clothes were a duplicate suit. The hair and mustache were false. The assassin was a well-arranged double of your husband, who took pains that you should see the deed done. “There was a screen setting close by the window which could easily have been pushed across to shut off your view. But it wasn’t.” “Why are you so sure it was a double--a disguised man who did the deed?” “First, because the proof is clear that the crime was done with a full knowledge by the murderer that you saw it, and with due care that you should see it.” “Well?” “Your husband, if capable of murder, would surely not have an object in doing it before your eyes, but on the contrary. “Then you saw your husband leave the room at about two minutes before five?” “Yes.” “I have the testimony of the elevator-boy that he went right to the elevator, and descended to the street.” “Go on, please.” “It would take him some time to go around to the building in which Woodford’s offices are situated, probably five minutes.” “Go on--go on!” “He did go around, however, for Mr. Woodford said his boy told him that Redway came to the door and inquired for you almost before you had been gone ten seconds. You did not leave by the elevator?” “No. I was so excited I rushed down the stairs.” “And he stepped out of the elevator while you were on the stairs going down.” “Good Heaven!” “So, you see, your husband can prove a perfect alibi. The deed was done while he was going from his office to Woodford’s.” “Has he furnished you with this proof?” “No; he has gone to jail without a word of defense. When he returned, he found the girl dead. “He then placed her body on the desk, with one arm near her head, and the other hanging by her side. Under this hand he placed his pistol.” “How do you know?” “Because you say the assassin left the body leaning back in the chair. It was found in a different position. “Because, according to your testimony, the assassin got the pistol from the desk where Redway kept it, and put it back there when he had finished his work.”