Stone's hair, thick and dark, was slightly grayed at the temples, and his deep-set eyes were now lustrous, and again, shadowed, like the water of a dark pool. His lean jaw and forceful mouth made his face in repose somewhat stern, but this effect was often banished by his delightful smile, which softened his whole countenance and gave him a distinct air of friendliness. His manner was full of charm, and even Pauline became fascinated as she watched him and listened to his talk. Fully at ease and skilfully directing the conversation, while he seemed merely sharing it, Stone was studying and classifying the new elements with which he had to deal. Not yet had he inquired as to the details of the case in hand, he was discussing detective work in general, much to the gratification of Tom Hardy, who listened as a pupil at the feet of Gamaliel. "Yes," went on Stone, settling back sociably in his easy chair, while the others unconsciously fell into more informal postures, "Yes, bizarre effects do often point the way to a successful quest. Why, once, a man was found dead, with his feet in a tub of cold water. It was discovered that his feet had been immersed after death had taken place. Obviously the tub of water had been used as a blind, to fog up the case. But the very character of the clue led at once to a man who was known as a 'cold water fiend,' and a fiend indeed he was. He was the murderer. You see, he was clever, but not clever enough. He had wit enough to think of the queer circumstance of the tub of water, but not enough to realize that the clue would lead directly to his own undoing." Everybody looked thoughtful, but it was Hardy who spoke; "Yes, Mr. Stone," he said, "but that clue was put there on purpose. Do you think these strange effects connected with Miss Carrington's murder were deliberately arranged?" "That I can't tell now, Mr. Hardy. In fact, I have not heard a connected and circumstantial account of the discoveries, as yet. Suppose we go over the case, leisurely, and let me get a complete account by means of a general conversation. I will ask questions, or you may volunteer information, as seems most enlightening. Tell me first of the character and characteristics of Miss Carrington. Was she timid, or fearful of burglars?" "Not at all," said Haviland. "She was careful to have the house locked up at night by the servants, but she had no burglar alarms or anything of that sort." "If a marauder had appeared, would she have been likely to scream out in affright?" "No, I don't think so," volunteered Anita. "She would more likely demand to know what he wanted and order him out." "Yet the black-jack clearly indicates a burglar," went on Stone; "I can't imagine an ordinary citizen, of any calling, owning or using such a weapon." "Have you examined the thing?" asked Haviland. "No; I should like to see it." Tom Hardy at once produced it, having brought it with him from Police Headquarters for the purpose.