There he found the proprietor pacing up and down in a state of nervous excitement. A policeman was also there, and to him Nick applied for information. “I can’t make head nor tail of it,” the policeman replied to Carter’s inquiry. “I’ve sent word to the police station, Mr. Carter, and I am expecting the captain every minute.” “Have you been upstairs?” “No, sir. I thought it best to wait until the captain arrived.” “Where is the bartender?” “Standing over there,” and the policeman pointed to the man, who was leaning against the bar. Carter stepped up to the bartender and asked: “What is your name?” “George Terry,” the bartender answered. “How long have you been employed here?” “Three years.” “I believe you discovered the murder?” “I did, sir.” “At what time?” “About twenty minutes ago.” “Do you know the man?” “No, sir, he is a stranger to me.” “What is his name?” “I forgot to ask him.” “Don’t you keep a register?” “No, sir.” “What time did the man arrive?” “Shortly after midnight.” “Did he have any luggage?” “No, sir.” “Tell me all about your conversation with him.” “As I said, he came in here shortly after midnight. He seemed weak and exhausted as he slipped up to the bar. He requested me to make him a hot toddy, which I did. “After he had finished his drink he asked me if I could let him have a room for the night, and I told him that the attic room was vacant and he could have that. He paid the price out of a well-filled purse. “I offered to conduct him up to the room, Mr. Carter, but he said it would not be necessary, because he was familiar with the house, he having stopped here on various occasions twenty years ago. He left the room, and that was the last I saw of him until I discovered his murdered body, when I went up to the attic to call him and opened the door of the room he occupied.” “You heard him say he had stopped here on various occasions twenty years ago?” “Yes, sir.” “What is the proprietor’s name?” “Henry Lancaster.” “How long has he conducted this place?” “Ten years.” “Do you know the name of the man from whom he purchased it?” “I do not.” “Has any one been upstairs to the murdered man’s room since you made the discovery?” “No one has been near it. Everything is undisturbed. I did not enter.” “I will speak to the proprietor.” Carter approached Mr. Lancaster, who was a middle-aged man of affable manners. “The bartender informs me that you have conducted this place for about ten years,” the detective said, as he came up to Mr. Lancaster. “I have owned it for nearly eleven years,” Mr. Lancaster replied. “From whom did you purchase it?” “A man named Peter Wright, who had been the proprietor for nearly a quarter of a century.” “Is Mr. Wright alive?” “He is.” “Where does he reside?”