“Of course, I’m sure. Unless I dropped a handkerchief, maybe. I’m forever losing those.” “You didn’t leave a fur collar?” “Of course I didn’t! My fur collars are too valuable not to keep track of.” “Then,” and Doctor Davenport drew from his bag a small fur neckpiece. “Then, I guess it’s my duty to show up this. It’s a thing,” he looked a bit embarrassed, “I picked up in Gleason’s room when I first went there last night. I thought it was yours, Phyllis, and I brought it to you.” “Well, of all performances!” exclaimed Belknap, astonished. “Oh, come now,” and Davenport smiled, “I meant to give it up sooner, but I forgot it. I only thought, if it should be Phyllis’, she’d rather know about it——” “All right, as long as I have it now,” and Belknap reached for the fur with an air of authority. “This may be the clew that will lead us straight to the murderer—or murderess.” “It may,” agreed the doctor, “and it may set you off on the wrong track, hounding some poor little innocent girl!” “Is it a valuable piece?” and Belknap held it out toward Phyllis. “I don’t want to touch it,” she shrank back. “Please don’t make me.” “Let me see it,” said Millicent reaching out a hand. “I’ll soon tell you.” After a moment’s scrutiny she said, “It’s a fairly good fur, and it’s the latest style; what they call a choker. It’s new this season, but not worth more than thirty or forty dollars.” “It might belong to ’most anybody, then,” mused Belknap. “Yes,” said Millicent, “but you see by the label inside, it came from a shop patronized more by bargain hunters than by an exclusive class of customers.” “Pointing to the less aristocratic type,” Belknap nodded. “Well, we must trace the owner of the collar. Where was it, Doctor?” “In a chair in the room,” said Davenport, looking as sheepish as a censured schoolboy. “I was a fool I suppose, to take it, but I thought if it belonged to Miss Lindsay, it might lead to a lot of unpleasant notoriety for her——” “All right, all right,” Belknap shut off his apologies. “Now to find an owner for the fur. Any suggestions?” He looked around the group, with a general survey, but really scanning Louis’ face, in hopes the boy might show some sign of recognition. But it was from Pollard that the advice came, “Advertise.” “Just what I planned to do,” Belknap said: “I’ll take the fur and advertise for its owner. An adroitly worded advertisement ought to bring results.” There was little more conversation of importance, the attorney merely taking some notes of certain data he desired, and learning of the arrangements for the funeral which was to take place next day at the Funeral Rooms. “I probably shan’t see you again, Mrs Lindsay, until after I hear from the advertisement,” Belknap told her.