Nick now turned to the windows opening on the roof of the lean-to to the west. The structure was covered with a gravel roof, and during the rain of the night of the murder little pools of water had formed. Into these sand had been swept. Nick examined every one of these closely. In a moment he called Chick to his side. “Here is the autograph of one of the burglars,” he said, pointing to an impression in one sandy pocket of the roof. “Rubber shoes,” said Chick. “Exactly, with a tear in the sole of the right shoe. It ought to be easy enough to follow this fellow.” Chick made a circuit of the little roof and came back to his chief. “The cut in the shoe which shows there,” he said, “was made after the robber got to the roof. The tin strap which supports the eave trough at the west, where the ladder was raised, is broken, and Mr. Burglar stepped on the sharp, upturned edge.” Nick descended the ladder, which remained as the robbers had left it, and walked about the grounds for a few moments, after which he returned to the west room. “They came from the orchard,” he said, “and after the rain.” “The rain fell at two o’clock,” said Chick. Nick turned to Sawtelle. “It is your notion that you were knocked down as soon as the thieves entered the room?” he asked. “Of course.” “Isn’t it remarkable that Charley was not awakened?” “He is a heavy sleeper.” “What did he say in the morning?” “I don’t remember.” The young man was becoming nervous and impatient, and Nick and his assistant left the room, first asking permission to return later and search for further traces of the burglars. In five minutes’ time, however, the young man passed them in the hall and went downstairs. The detectives looked at each other in silence for a moment. “He lies!” said Chick. “Mr. and Mrs. Maynard did walk in the hall last night after they were ready for bed, and he knows it, for he was not asleep. I say he was not asleep because he came out after them. Notice that the marks leading from his door are over the ones made by naked feet, and were therefore made last.” “That looks all right on the face of it,” replied Nick, “but he says he passed through the hall this morning.” “I overlooked that point,” said Chick, “but, anyhow, he lied about the old people not moving about.” “He might have been asleep,” said Nick. “Don’t jump at conclusions, my son.” Chick bent over the floor. “What is it?” asked Nick. “I am looking for the marks made by the burglars in passing from the rear room to the front one,” was the reply. An inscrutable smile appeared on the face of the detective. “Look sharply,” he said. “Perhaps you may be able to find what you are looking for.” Chick arose and faced his chief with excitement showing in his manner. “They are not here,” he said. “What does it mean?” “There are the marks of stockinged feet,” suggested Nick.