“We made that,” the clerk said, after he had examined the disguise. “Do you remember selling a beard like that lately?” the detective asked. “I remember selling this.” “You do?” “Yes.” “When did you sell it?” “The morning of the day before New Year’s.” “To whom did you sell it?” “A tall man.” “Did you sell him anything else?” “Yes.” “What?” “A Moorish dagger.” “Anything else?” “No.” “Did he give you his name?” “No. He paid for the things and he took them away with him.” “What kind of a coat had he on?” “An ulster.” “What kind of a hat?” “An old slouch.” “Is this the color of the ulster?” Carter untied the bundle while he was talking, and now he displayed the ulster in front of the clerk. “It was that color,” the young man ejaculated. “And that is the slouch hat. I remember noticing that the rim was slightly torn.” “Would you be able to identify that man?” “I would.” “Was he alone?” “Yes.” The detective next went to the tailoring establishment conducted by Delaney. He showed the ulster to the manager. “We made that garment six years ago,” the manager said, after he had inspected the coat. “Can you tell for whom?” Carter asked. “If you can tell me, I shall be greatly obliged.” “I can. Do you notice this number in indelible ink on the pocket flap? Well, that is the number of the order. I will refer to our books.” He walked back into the office and examined a large ledger. In a few moments he returned to Carter and said: “That coat was made for a gentleman named Simeon Rich.” “Thank you,” Carter rejoined, and then he departed. The coils around Rich were tightening, but the detective had not found that weapon with which the crime had been committed. Perhaps the murderer had thrown it away. That was likely. That the weapon was a Moorish dagger and the one purchased at Dazian’s the detective was convinced. On a mere whim, Nick took all his evidence down to police headquarters and made a report to the chief inspector. When he was through the chief said: “I will send out men to fetch in all the witnesses. “We will assemble them here in this room, and then, if we corral the conspirators, we will bring them in. Mark my word. We will get a confession from one of them.” “I’ll make out a list of the witnesses.” “Call them off and I’ll write them down.” “The bartender at the Red Dragon Inn, Doctor Thompson, Peter Wright, Brockey Gann, Lena Peters, Lem Samson, Dora Ferris, Dazian’s clerk, the cashier of the safe deposit company, Delaney’s manager, and the cabman, number one hundred and forty-seven.” “I’ll send out men for them.” “Very well.” “What are you going to do?” “Close in on Rich.” “Do you need assistance?” “Give me two men.” The chief inspector called in two men and they went out with Carter. They entered a taxicab and were driven to the address given to the detective by the expressman. The name of Lawrence was on the letter box belonging to the first flat. Carter entered the hall with his men.