“That remains to be seen,” replied the detective. As Nick spoke, he lifted from the floor a small square of oiled silk, red in color. He held it up for the inspection of Maynard. “Were the diamonds wrapped in this?” he asked. Maynard nodded. “That is only part of the wrapping,” he said. “Were the diamonds of great value?” asked the clerk. “Half a million,” was the short reply. Nick now regarded the jewels as a small part of the case. The thing to do was to locate and punish the murderer of Henry Townsend. The clerk stepped back in wonder. “He should have left them in the safe,” he said. “That is what he came here to do,” said the detective. “Now, before the coroner or the police are notified, I must search this room for some clue to the identity of the murderer. But first, tell me everything you know regarding the occupant of this room, the person who murdered this poor boy, and walked out of the hotel dressed in the victim’s clothes. When was the room taken?” “Not ten minutes before the young man you call Townsend came.” Maynard sprang to his feet. “Then the murderer knew where Townsend was going when he set off on foot from the café—knew where he was going and what he carried, and laid a trap for him!” he cried. “What was said?” asked Nick. “He came to the desk and asked if any one had called for Martin Haynes. I said that there had been no such party asked for. Then he said that he had a message for a friend of his who might call there during the night. If he did call, he was to be sent up to room forty-three. When Townsend came in I gave him the message, and he went up at once. I don’t know what the message was.” “Townsend said nothing about leaving a parcel in the safe when he came in?” “No, sir. He seemed surprised at the message, and went straight to the elevator.” “How was the person who took this room dressed?” “All in black, including hat, tie, and frock coat. He was a dusky sort of fellow, with black eyes and hair; just about Townsend’s size.” “Not like Townsend in feature or complexion?” “Not in the least,” replied the clerk slowly, with a look of perplexity growing on his face. “I can see now,” he added, “how mistaken I was in supposing that it was Mr. Townsend who left the hotel. I can’t understand, however, how I came to be so careless, for it is my duty to know what goes on here at night.” “I presume that you did not notice the person who went out, except generally, and were deceived by the clothes worn,” said Nick. “Of course that is it,” was the reply, “but all the same, I don’t make many mistakes like that. I couldn’t keep my job if I did.” “And the person who engaged the room gave the name of Martin Haynes?” asked the detective. “Yes, sir.” “Register?” “Yes, sir.” “Any baggage?” “No, sir,” replied the clerk. “He paid in advance for one night, and nothing was said about baggage.” “Who occupied this room yesterday?”