“He was there most of the evening. He had what the boys call a grouch about something, I guess.” “Where were the diamonds during the evening?” “In my trunk.” Nick pondered a moment, and turned away, going to the door, from which he turned back to ask: “Were the diamonds in your trunk when you went to bed?” Charley laughed. “No doubt of that,” he said. “I looked at them.” Nick walked to and fro on the lawn until Chick came up. “You found Bernice in consultation with Anton, I presume,” he said. “Yes, they were in the orchard together.” “You could not hear their talk?” Chick shook his head. The county physician who served as coroner was now summoned and the body placed at his disposal. “I am sorry to have delayed you in your work so long,” Nick said, “but I did not want to miss any possible clues by having it removed before a thorough examination of the room had been made.” “Oh, that’s all right,” said the coroner. “I’ll get a few of the neighbors together and hold an inquest right away. It will be death at the hands of some person unknown, I suppose. Rather a bold deed, sir?” “Yes,” said Nick soberly, “rather a bold deed.” CHAPTER IV. A GROUP OF THREE. “Shall you attend the inquest?” asked Chick, as the two detectives moved away in the direction of the orchard. “No,” was the reply. “As the coroner said, the verdict will be that Maynard came to his death at the hands of some person or persons unknown. I want the formalities through with as soon as possible.” The detectives now found themselves at the foot of the ladder which had been raised to the lean-to roof by the burglars. The footprints were still plainly visible. As has been stated, rain had fallen on the previous night, and the surface of the earth was still damp. The marks of rubber soles were still to be seen in the soft mold between the trees. They led to the north side of the orchard, then across a pasture lot, and onto the highway running parallel with the railroad track. They were lost only when the men approached the station platform. “This looks like a put-up trail,” said Chick. “It looks like the work of amateur burglars,” said Nick, “who depend upon losing themselves in the city, and thus escaping the officers.” “I wonder if they carried the diamonds over that route?” asked Chick. “And I was wondering,” said Nick, “if they knew what to do with the gems when they got to the city.” “How could they have the diamonds?” asked Chick. “They did not get beyond Anton’s room, and the diamonds were not there. I guess the members of the Maynard family were too quick for them.” “Don’t jump at conclusions,” warned Nick. “Well, I don’t like the looks of things up there,” said the assistant, “and I have an idea that they ought to be watched.”