On the following morning the newspapers brought to Adam Adams the full particulars of the Langmore inquest, with the finding of the coroner’s jury.  The papers also described how Margaret Langmore had fainted and been placed at a nurse’s residence, under the care of a physician and guarded by the police.  By a few it was supposed that the girl’s illness was genuine, but the general opinion was that it was assumed, in order to draw public sympathy.  Raymond Case was pictured as a loyal, but misguided young man, and it was hinted that his relatives were much chagrined to see him remaining at the accused girl’s side, in view of the evidence which had been brought to light.

The detective read the accounts with interest and then leaned back in his office chair in a thoughtful mood.  Letty had absented herself and in the outer office was another girl, who had done substitute work before.  Suddenly the detective arose with decision, went to the telephone, and rang up Central.

“Hullo!”

“Give me 45678 Park.”

There was a buzz and then a heavy voice came over the ’phone.

“Hullo!”

“Is that you, Vapp?”

“Yes.  Is this Mr. Adams?”

“Yes.  Are you particularly busy?”

“Not if there is any money afloat,” and a chuckle came over the wire.

“I want you to do some shadowing for me, I don’t know how long it will take.  It’s a man—­a commercial traveler.  You can pick out your own make-up.”

“When am I on?”

“Right away.”

“Want me up there first?”

“I think it will be best.  I want to give you some details.”

“I’ll be there in half an hour and all ready for the job.”

Adam Adams busied himself in various ways, and at the end of half an hour, a well-dressed, middle-aged man came in, carrying a small sample case in one hand.

“Hullo, going to be a commercial traveler yourself, eh?” commented the detective.

“It will give me an easy way to get around,” answered Charles Vapp.  “I’m Andy Weber, representing the Boxton Seed Company.  A seed man can go anywhere, in the city and the country.  I got the outfit from old Boxton himself.  He thinks it a good joke and he will keep mum.  Now, what’s the game?”

“I want you to do some shadowing for me.”

“All right—­that’s my line.”

“This is a bit out of the ordinary, Vapp.”

“Well, that makes it more interesting.  Who is the party?”

“The fellow’s name is Tom Ostrello.”

“Foreigner, eh?”

“No, he is American-born—­the son of Mrs. Langmore.”

“You don’t mean the woman who was murdered with her husband?”

“Yes.  He is a commercial traveler for a drug concern.”

“Good!  I’m glad I elected to be a traveler myself.”

“As I said, Vapp, this is no ordinary case.  I want you to keep track of this man day and night.”