Carter crawled out of the window onto the roof, and followed the tracks in the snow, until he came to the edge of the roof, where he halted and looked over. There, attached to the side of the house, he beheld an iron ladder leading from the roof down to the yard. Still he saw nothing of the weapon with which the crime had been committed. There was no doubt now in his mind about the assassin having escaped by the roof. He returned to the room and gave the captain an accurate but brief account of what he had discovered. “This leads me to think the murderer possessed some knowledge of this house,” the police captain remarked, after he had listened to what the detective had to say. “Probably,” Carter rejoined, and then for a time he lapsed into deep thought. The captain was also silent. Nick’s eyes wandered around the room and he bit his lips. Upon his face there was a strained expression. One could tell that he was following some train of thought. The pupils of his eyes blazed brilliantly. Minute after minute passed and still he did not speak. Patiently his companion waited. Carter’s eyes rested upon the clothing of the victim, which was lying on a chair near the bed in a corner of the room. It was in a confused heap. The detective stepped forward. “We have overlooked these!” he exclaimed, pointing to the clothes. “I was just looking at them,” the police captain remarked. “It seems to me that they must have been disturbed by the murderer.” “They were,” Carter rejoined, holding up the dead man’s vest for the police captain to inspect. “There are bloodstains upon this and the other garments.” “Search the pockets.” For some minutes the detective was engaged in making the search. When he finished he looked at the captain. “Nothing,” he said tersely. “The murderer secured everything,” the police captain rejoined, in a tone of disappointment, “he has not left a scrap of paper by which the dead man could be identified.” “Everything is gone.” “It is too bad.” “Yes--but I have made a discovery.” “What is it?” “These are prison clothes--they are new.” “What! Are you sure?” “I am positive. They were made in Sing Sing Prison.” “And what is your conclusion?” “This murdered man was recently released from State’s prison.” “Perhaps the motive for the crime was revenge.” “Maybe, and still he may have been murdered because he possessed information which some one was afraid would be divulged.” “That may be it.” “In one way this discovery is important.” “And you really think this man was a convict?” “I do. If he were not a released convict he would not have worn clothing made expressly for the convicts.” “He may have purchased them from some one.” “That is so--but still I think he did not.” “There is one clew anyway.” “Yes.” “Let us go downstairs.” They left the room. Carter closed and locked the door.