Eagerly the men looked for clues. But they found nothing save the dead man and his own belongings. The scene of the tragedy was not very far from the road, but it was well screened by the thick summer foliage, and the rocks and high tree roots hid the body on the ground from the sight of passers-by.
Footprints? said Lieutenant Pearson, musingly.
Nothing doing, returned Detective Groot. Some few depressions here and there of course, made by human feet but none clear enough to be called a footprint.
And the ground is too stony and grassy to show them. Look well, though, boys. No broken cuff-links, or dropped gloves? Its a canny murderer who doesnt leave a shred of incriminating evidence.
Its a fool murderer who does, returned Groot. And this affair is not the work of a fool. Probably theyve been spotting Mr. Trowbridge for months. These millionaires are fair game for the Dago slayers.
Why Dago?
Didnt an Italian woman turn in the call? How could she know of it unless some of her own people did it?
But there seems to be no robbery. Heres his watch and scarfpin all right.
And his roll?
Yes, said Pearson, after an investigation of the dead mans pockets. Bills and change. Nothing taken, apparently.
Valuable papers, maybe.
Not a Dago, then. Your theories dont hang together. Well, this will create some stir in the Street! Biggest sensation in years. Rowland Trowbridge! Phew! Wont the papers go crazy!
What family has he? Wife?
No, nor child. Only a niece, but shes the apple of his eye. Well get Collins to telephone to the house. Its an awful business.
The business was awful, and its awful details took so much time that it was seven oclock before Inspector Collins called up the Trowbridge home.
Maybe thats uncle now! cried Avice, and springing from her chair she went to the ringing telephone.
Hello yes no, oh, tell me! I am Miss Trowbridge, no, his niece, please come here, Judge Hoyt!
Leslie Hoyt took the receiver from the hand of the agitated girl, and received this message from the police station.
Yes, sir; I couldnt tell the young lady, sir. Do you belong to the family? Well, then, theres no use beatin round the bush. Mr. Trowbridge is dead. We found his body in Van Cortlandt Park woods. Will you come here to identify it?
Wait a minute! Let me think! and Hoyt strove to control himself. Avice, you were right. Something has happened.
Oh, Uncle Rowly!
Yes, and Hoyts voice faltered, he has been has been hurt. They they have found him
I know, said Avice, standing perfectly still, while her face went white. You neednt tell me. I know. He is dead.
Hoyt looked at her dumbly, not contradicting. He had loved the girl for years, but though she liked him, she would give him no promise, and he still hoped and waited. He turned back to answer the insistent telephone. Yes; of course, there is nothing else to do. Tell the coroner. I will go there at once. Are you sure of what you tell me?
There can be no doubt, he said gently, as he finally left the telephone. There are letters in his pockets, and some of the policemen know him. Avice, dear!
But Avice had flung herself on a couch, her face buried in the pillows, and was sobbing her heart out.
Let her cry, said Mrs. Black, softly, as she laid her long white hand gently upon the bowed head; it will do her good. Tell me all, Judge Hoyt. I am the one in charge now.
The womans handsome face showed dignity and authority rather than grief, but Leslie Hoyt was merely the dead mans lawyer, and had no right to intrude personal comment or sympathy. He had long been a close friend of Rowland Trowbridge and his niece, but with the housekeeper his acquaintance was but formal.
I know very little, Mrs. Black, he said, his eyes wandering to the convulsed figure on the couch. The inspector merely told me that Mr. Trowbridge has been killed and that some one must go to the police station to represent the family. As his lawyer, it is appropriate that I should go, and, indeed, it seems to me there is no one else who could his voice broke as he looked again at Avice, now sitting up and staring, wide-eyed at him.
Yes, do go, Judge Hoyt, she cried; you are the one who else could? Not I, surely, you dont want me to go, do you?
No, Avice, no, dear, said Mrs. Black, soothingly. Nobody thought of your going. Judge Hoyt has kindly consented
I will stop for Doctor Fulton, I think, and ask him to go with me, and Leslie Hoyt took up his hat. You had better go to your room, Avice. It may be a long time before my return.
I will look after her, and Mrs. Black nodded her head. I will attend to everything.
She accompanied Hoyt to the door, saying in low tones, When you come back, will you bring the the will you bring Mr. Trowbridge with you?
I cant be sure. There are so many formalities to be looked after. Try to keep Avice as quiet as possible. It will be a trying scene at best, when we return.
I will do all I can for her. How fortunate that you are here, Judge Hoyt.
Indeed, yes. Had I not been, the girl might have insisted on going on this awful errand.
The judge walked the few blocks to Doctor Fultons office, and luckily finding him in, they both went at once in the doctors car to the scene of the tragedy.
Let me give you some quieting draught, Avice dear, said Mrs. Black, as she returned to the girl, and then Im going to send you to bed.
Indeed, youll do nothing of the kind. I have quite as much right here as you have.
Of course you have, and the ladys voice was as straightforward as her words. I only want to spare you the shock.
I dont want to be spared, I want to know all about everything that goes on. I wont be treated as a child or an imbecile! I want to help.
But, my dear, there is nothing to do.
There will be. If Uncle Rowly has been killed, some one has done the deed, and I shall never rest until I find out who did it, and bring him to justice! How can you sit there so calmly? Dont you care? You, who pretended to love him!
There, there, Avice, dont get so excited. I know how you must feel, but
Dont talk to me, Eleanor! You drive me crazy!
Offended, and a little frightened at the girls vehemence, the older woman ceased all attempts at conversation, and busied herself about the rooms, with those futile, nervous little motions that most women indulge in under stress of great excitement.
I think, Avice, dear, you ought to try to eat some dinner, she suggested. Shall we go out together?
But Avice only looked at her in dumb reproach, and closed her eyes as if to dismiss the subject.
Mrs. Black went into the dining-room alone.
There has been an accident, Stryker, she said to the butler, thinking it unwise to say more at the present. They will bring Mr. Trowbridge home after a time. Meantime, say nothing to the other servants, and give me my dinner, for I feel I must try to eat something.
Mrs. Blacks face was inscrutable as she sat at the well-appointed table. She ate a little of the dishes Stryker brought, but her thoughts were evidently far away. She frowned now and then, and once she smiled, but mostly she seemed in a brown study, and as if she had weighty affairs on her mind. Not a tear did she shed, nor did she look bowed with sorrow; indeed, her fine, well-poised head held itself a little higher than usual as she gave low-voiced orders to the butler now and then.