Page:The Death-Doctor.djvu/259

Rh such a transformation in the face before. Look at his eyes. They are narrow and drawn—like a Chinaman's!"

"Yes," I answered, calmly reflectmg. I saw at once that the case was a mysterious one, though I kept my own counsel.

I judged the deceased to be about thirty. He was in well-cut evening clothes, and wore upon his finger a fine ruby ring, while in his shirt-front were two diamond studs.

Quickly the two police-officers bent and searched the body, establishing the fact that the tabs bearing the tailor's name had been cut out of the man's clothes, thus revealing a determination upon his part not to be identified.

"He'd committed some crime and feared arrest," I remarked; "that is quite apparent from his letter. Therefore, he has taken every precaution to conceal his identity."

"Didn't wish to bring scandal and disgrace upon his friends, I suppose," said Wills. "We'll search the room, Saunders."

Then, as he turned towards the dressing-table, he saw, lying upon it, a note, addressed also in type-writing, "To the Police."

He tore it open and within found a twenty-pound note, together with a slip of paper,