“Well?”

“In the morning Standard of April 9th,” announced the young man, “I find an advertisement of Bernstine Brothers relative to a sale of condemned army equipment.”

“Is anything specified?”

“They considered it important that high-power modern rifles were to be sold at a very small price.  And they also lay some stress upon the fact that the stuff had been in use by the Bolivian army.”

Pendleton saw a look of satisfaction come into his friend’s eyes.  But there was no other evidence of anything unusual.

“And now,” said the investigator, quietly, “with regard to this other matter.”

“I find that there are two schools for mutes in this section,” answered Fuller.  “But both are some distance out of town.”

The satisfaction in Ashton-Kirk’s singular eyes deepened.

“Excellent,” said he.

“One is on the main line—­Kittridge Station; the other is on the Hammondsville Branch at a place called Cordova.”

“Thank you,” said Ashton-Kirk.

And when the door had once more closed behind his aid, the investigator continued to Pendleton: 

“I figured upon some of the equipment reaching here.  Military goods houses, such as Bernstine’s, usually advertise each lot they receive; and I considered it possible that the murderer might have been attracted by this notice and procured the weapon from them.  If he did, we may get some trace of him by inquiring at Bernstine’s.  But,” flinging his arms wide and yawning as though weary of the subject, “that is work for to-morrow.  To-night we will rest and prepare for what is to come.  But in the meantime,” arising with enthusiasm, “let me show you a first edition of the ’Knickerbocker’s History of New York’ which I picked up recently.”

He went to his book-shelves and took down two faded volumes.  With eager hands Pendleton took them from him.

“Original covers!” cried he.  “Binding unbroken; in perfect condition inside; not a spot or a stain anywhere.”  Then he regarded his friend with undisguised envy.  “Kirk,” said he, “you’re a lucky dog.  You can dig up more good things than anybody else that I know.”

CHAPTER VIII

THE NEWSPAPERS BEGIN TO PLAY THEIR PART

Next morning Ashton-Kirk lounged in a comfortable window-seat, almost knee-deep in newspapers.  The published accounts of the assassination were, in some instances, very sensational.  Drawings, by special artists of persons concerned, were much in evidence, also half-tones of the exterior of 478 Christie Place.  The names of Osborne and Stillman figured largely in the types; but what interested the investigator most was a portrait of the musician—­the violinist, Antonio Spatola, and the story of his arrest.

The pictured face was that of a young man with a great head of curling hair.  The features were regular, the expression eager and appealing.