Humphrey’s visit marked a turning point in the mysterious case of the "Friends of the Poor." His famous photograph was published in the _Times_ and created a considerable stir. Fortunately, in the newspaper reproduction only the prominent features were discernible, and as at Forrester’s request the reporter had omitted any reference to the perplexing details which he had discovered, these possible clues remained unknown to the police and public. All the newspapers showed a tendency to ridicule and censure the police for their misdirected activity, which aroused the department to redoubled efforts in the solution of the case. This was further accentuated by pressure brought to bear upon the chief of police, and even the mayor himself, by various civic associations which had become alarmed at the inability of the police to protect wealthy citizens from this terrible menace. A small army of detectives was assigned to the case, and as Green expressed it, "You can’t turn a corner without steppin’ on some bull’s toes." Police activity was largely expended in the form of espionage upon persons who had in any way been connected with the case, and careful investigation of all people who lived in the vicinity of the oak tree. Green reported to Forrester that a man who was unquestionably a detective was keeping the Forrester estate under surveillance, and Forrester discovered that a detective was steadily on guard at the tree. That the "Friends of the Poor" were undaunted by this display of police action, and were prepared to flaunt their power in the very faces of the police, was shown by the fact that one morning the detective who had been on watch at the tree the night before was found dead. The police surgeon stated it to be a clear case of asphyxiation, although how such a thing had been accomplished in the open air he was not prepared to say. This tragedy, however, terminated all efforts of the police to keep an open watch over the tree, for it was evident that the mysterious force which was at work could not be reached in this way. On the same day Green had come to Forrester in a state of great dejection. The detective had found one of the familiar wrapping paper notes pinned to his chair in the pergola, which read: _To_ _Detective Green and Robert Forrester_: You have but ten days to live. _Friends of the Poor._