“There is Mr. Grote, Mr. Kennedy, and Miss Lucas,” was his report. “Tell them to come in,” commanded Nick, in a low voice. “Will Mr. Grote, Mr. Kennedy, and Miss Lucas come in?” said the janitor, addressing his words to the collection of people in the hall. The three persons answering to these names crowded their way forward, and were admitted. Then the door closed again. To the five people inside, not including the policeman, Nick said: “You will wait in this room until further orders. Meanwhile, officer,” turning and addressing McCarthy, “let no one else in until Brown returns with the coroner, and see that nobody meantime leaves by that door.” Nick turned toward the inner room to find the young, stylishly-dressed man looking out, much interested at what had been going on in the larger office. CHAPTER II. THE GLOVE ON THE DEAD GIRL’S HAND. Nick returned to the rear room. His first act was probably a surprise to both the men whom he had found there when he first entered. In short, he requested the two men to step into the outer office. They complied rather hesitatingly. He followed them, and closed the communicating door. Then he coolly took a seat near by, and waited for the coroner. Fifteen minutes after Brown started to bring the coroner, he returned in company with that official. Nick met the coroner quietly, and lost no time in making himself known to him. Then he requested Brown to send the crowd on the outside about their business, and again cautioned McCarthy to let no one of those in the large office go out. This done, he preceded the coroner into the rear office, and closed the door behind them. The coroner took a quick inventory of the surroundings, and then turned to Nick for information. The detective related everything just as it occurred to him, except that he made no mention of the type-written note which had brought him to the scene at such a strange time. “And what have you learned of the case from those two men, Mr. Carter?” inquired the coroner. “Nothing. I have asked not a single question, preferring to wait till you got here to receive the story of the case as these people can or will give it.” “That is quite complimentary, I am sure, Mr. Carter. Whom shall we question first?” “Before we question anybody let me tell you about a few things I have noted in this office.” “All right--go on.” “The victim was shot in the right temple.” “I see.” “From the position of the body the shot must have been fired by some one standing in front of that window, or the shot must have come from across the street and through the open window.” The coroner noticed that the desk on which the dead woman had fallen was almost exactly in front of an open window and about twelve feet from it. He glanced across the street and discovered that a window in an opposite building was directly in line with the office window and the desk. “You think the shot was fired by some one standing in that window over there?”