Kennedy. "I should think you could jolly a housemaid, if
necessary. Anyhow, you can get the fellow on the beat to do
it--if he isn't already to be found in the kitchen. Why, I see a
dozen ways of getting the notepaper."

"Oh, it's me that's the lady-killer, sir," grinned Riley. "I'm a
regular Blarney stone when I'm out on a job of that sort. Sure,
I'll have some of them for you in the morning."

"Bring me what you get, the first thing in the morning, even if
you've landed only a few samples," said Kennedy, as Riley
departed, straightening his tie and brushing his hat on his
sleeve.

"And now, Walter, you too must excuse me to-night," said Craig.
"I've got a lot to do, and sha'n't be up to our apartment till
very late--or early. But I feel sure I've got a strangle-hold on
this mystery. If I get those papers from Riley in good time
to-morrow I shall invite you and several others to a grand
demonstration here to-morrow night. Don't forget. Keep the whole
evening free. It will be a big story."

Kennedy's laboratory was brightly lighted when I arrived early
the next evening. One by one his "guests" dropped in. It was
evident that they had little liking for the visit, but the
coroner had sent out the "invitations," and they had nothing to
do but accept. Each one was politely welcomed by the professor
and assigned a seat, much as he would have done with a group of
students. The inspector and the coroner sat back a little. Mrs.
Parker, Mr. Downey, Mr. Bruce, myself, and Miss La Neige sat in