Leonard did not answer for a moment. He stroked his chin and frowned. When he spoke it was with a curious hesitancy. "I hate to say it," he said, with a furtive glance at the detective's face, "but I can account for it only in one way. Dashwood has taken the money and made off with it." "It's not so," said Nick, with a warmth that caused Leonard's cheeks to flush. "He is no thief. You--you cannot mean this, Mr. Leonard." "Better men than he have fallen from grace," was the dogged response. "He might have been speculating and----" "Not another word," interrupted Nick. "I won't hear it." Leonard shrugged his heavy shoulders. "Friendship is a fine thing," he said, with a half-sneer. "It knows no medium. It's all or nothing. Well," with a patronizing smile that made Nick grit his teeth, "I can't blame you for sticking up for John. He is a fine fellow, a very fine fellow, and if he has taken a wrong step I shall be deeply grieved." A police officer entered before another word could be said. He had a summons for Leonard to appear at the coroner's inquest in the matter of Luke Filbon's death. "One o'clock," said the manufacturer, glancing at the paper. "I will have time to go home and get an early lunch. I will see you again, Mr. Carter." Nick took the suggestion that he should leave, but once on the sidewalk he hastened to the nearest telegraph-station and wired Chick, his brave and shrewd assistant, to come at once. This done, the detective went to the apartments of Madame Ree, on Chestnut Street. The sign had been taken down and the rooms were closed. From the janitress Nick learned that Madame Ree had left St. Louis, giving no hint as to her destination. "When did she leave?" "Last night. She gave up her rooms about eight o'clock." "Who hauled her luggage? Do you know?" "She didn't have any luggage." "What? Didn't she sleep in this building?" "No." "Where did she lodge?" "I don't know." "While she was here did she have many visitors?" "No. Business was poor. That's why she gave it up, I guess." "Do you know Gabriel Leonard, the manufacturer?" "Can't say as I do. I have been in the city but a few months." Nick described Leonard, and asked if such a man had ever visited Madame Ree. The janitress' face brightened. "Yes. A man of that look and build was here several times." "Did Madame Ree ever speak to you about him?" "Yes. I was going by her reception-room the other day, when he came out. His face was as long as the moral law. As he went down the stairs, Madame Ree turned to me and winked. 'That's an old fool,' she said contemptuously, 'and I've got him on a string. He's going to make me rich.' I tried to pump her, but she wouldn't say anything more." "What did she say when she left yesterday?" "Not very much. She said she was tired of St. Louis and that she was about to leave it for good. The next morning would see her on the way to another city." "Was she in good spirits?" "Indeed she was. She was as happy as a lark."