The Sheridan Road Mystery

the man from Headquarters, who had been taking the photog

of a woman lying mot

ed Morgan, over

d!" was the

erness and care of his movements being plainly apparent. Carrying her into his apartme

ock of some kind and fa

disclosing a bruise that was now rapidly discoloring and swelling. "Somebody

ve! To think of pulling anything like

declared Marsh. "Ordinary methods won'

el and some cold water. In the meant

this case, your job is to stand

und. To Tierney, however, the work immediately presented possibilities that stirred his fighti

the bruise with the cold water. While he worked over her, t

the girl up," he explained, "

ce he extended it to Marsh. "A letter to thi

ng his work to revive the girl. "Just w

Slip into the kitchen, steam this open and make a quick copy." Then, noticing

an no

s letter at the same time. The

his case, the man went back to th

coming on?"

he spoke and Marsh called his attention to it

forehead and gradually she seemed to realize her position. She struggled slowly into a sitting position on the davenport while the two men stood back, awaiting her firs

r questioned Mars

outside the doo

eeking information about the case in hand. Moreover, here might be a clue to his identity, or at least a description that

Marsh continued the conversation. "We know nothing about what happened," he said. "We heard a scream. When we opened the door you wer

at in her dazed and weakened condition questions would still further bewilder her, might even cause a

d passed her hand before her eyes with a motion si

now. "As I turned up the flight to this floor, I saw a man crouched down before the door of this apartment. He did not hear me until I reached the top of the stairs. Then he jumped up, and seeing me, tried to push by. Remembering the burglary, or whatever

w looked like I would thrash him the next time I saw him," he

ce had a peaked look. While we struggled his hat fell off and I saw that he was almost bald. His nose was large,

een him before?

the positive note in her

all the stations," said Morgan.

ve the necessary directions, and as he returned to his chair, remar

ee me!" exclaimed the girl. "Perhaps

. "I can tell better aft

rl, and began to searc

letter, and they were relieved to see the phot

something?" i

r I took out of

ing forward and presenting the letter to her. "I

she added. "It is from my father, and I have not heard fr

ng her weakness, Marsh stepped to he

up the stairs,"

urned, simply, reali

you come back, Ma

med. Then, as Marsh nodded, she added, "Why, you

o, behind the girl's back, dropped

on to have information, being right on

irs to her apartment. Tierney rose from the step where he had been sitting, to let her pass, and she favored him with one of her pretty smiles as he did so. Tierney then climbed after them to the next landing and

copy which he had made of the letter as soon as Mar

ook it

ar Da

have never told you, not wishing to cause you worry, b

months to live, so rather than be a burden to you I have decided to end the thing at once. When this letter reach

National Trust Company, Chicago, you will find that you have been amply provided for. As we do not lease the apa

in your music. God b

evoted

rgan, when he saw that Marsh h

hot for him. No doubt he thought you were getting closer than you really were. Poor girl," he

was a murder upstairs. They planned to put some person who was

hot did that. I have felt for some time that

hold future conferences! I do not want to be seen coming here too often. It might lead to suspici

ou are now suspicious, and with Tierney on the doorstep

" agreed Morgan. "Telephone me when you want

p as if to seal their future partnership. Morgan

out across the landi

knew the