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 mean. He was layin’ in the middle of the library floor—dead. Somebody’d got to him an’ stuck a knife between his ribs!”

My heart seemed to stop beating. A moment of dreadful silence fell.

“Did you examine the wound?” Barnes inquired.

“I did,” said Riley, proud of himself. “An’ it was exactly like the wan poor Mr. Drew got. Yes, Sergeant—if you ask me—the same hand done for’em both. I waited till Detective Curry arrived, an’ thin”

“Yes, Riley. Thanks. You’d better go back to your beat.” As Riley went out Barnes turned to me. “This was Drew’s partner in the Yunnan mine,” he said. “The other man you say had cheated you?”

I tried to speak but the words would not come.

“Mr. Winthrop,” the detective went on, “I’m sorry, but I have no other course” Rh