“Yes.” “This Redway, do I understand you, took a place in the firm after Bridgely’s death?” “Yes, sir.” “And before that?” “He was the confidential clerk of the firm.” “Then you succeeded in the place made vacant by him when he was admitted to partnership by Mr. Byke?” “I did.” “Now, Mr. Gay, who was that dead girl--she was scarcely more than a girl.” “Her name was Estelle Langdon. She was the office stenographer and type-writer.” “Where did she live?” “Somewhere up in Harlem.” “Was she married?” Gay’s eyes gave a quick flash toward Nick’s face at this question--a fact the detective mentally noted without pretending to notice it. The answer came almost immediately. “Not that anybody was aware of.” “Has she relatives?” “None--I believe.” “How long have you known her?” “About six months since she came here.” “What do you know about the way she died?” “Nothing, except what I saw as I entered the office just before you came.” “Tell us what that was--what you saw.” “The body was lying there just as it is now. Mr. Redway was near by on the side next to the window. When I entered, his body was in a bent position, and one hand was extended toward the pistol on the floor.” “About to pick it up?” “Either that, or had just laid it down.” Nick came to a dead halt in his queries at this answer, and sat for thirty seconds looking Gay straight in the face. The latter became plainly uncomfortable under the detective’s glance. “Did you ever see that pistol before?” inquired Nick, when he once more continued his examination. “I did.” “To whom did it belong?” “To Victor Redway.” “But the initials ‘E. L.,’ how do you account for them?” “I can’t account for them. They were on the pistol as long as I knew Redway to possess it.” “How long is that?” “Several months.” “Did Redway carry this pistol regularly?” “He never carried it.” “Then where did he keep it?” “In the drawer of his desk over there.” Gay nodded to the flat-topped desk setting against the wall to the right of the open window, and almost directly behind the corpse. “You are sure of that statement?” “Yes, I have seen it there often.” “Didn’t he keep the desk locked?” “No. I never knew him to carry a key to the desk.” “Then Miss Langdon could have got the pistol herself had she chosen?” “I suppose so.” “What was the relationship of Redway and Miss Langdon?” “What do you mean?” “Were they on friendly terms?” “Oh, yes.” “Very confidential?” “No, hardly that, I guess. Not in the presence of any one else, anyhow.” “Might they have been lovers?” “If they were, no one knew it.” “Did they ever quarrel?” “Not to my knowledge.” “They occupied this office together?” “Yes.” “Where is your desk?”