First of all, we ought to decide what we’re looking for.”
“I guess we know that, don’t we?” Eden asked.
“Oh, in a general way, but let’s be explicit. To go back and start at the beginning—that’s the proper method, isn’t it, Chan?”
Charlie shrugged. “Always done—in books,” he said. “In real life, not so much so.”
Holley smiled. “That’s right—dampen my young enthusiasm. However, I am now going to recall a few facts. We needn’t stress the side issues at present—the pearls, the activities of Shaky Phil in San Francisco, the murder of Louie, the disappearance of Madden’s daughter—all these will be explained when we get the big answer. We are concerned today chiefly with the story of the old prospector.”
“Who may have been lying, or mistaken,” Eden suggested.
“Yes—his tale seems unbelievable, I admit. Without any evidence to back it up, I wouldn’t pay much attention to it. However, we have that evidence. Don’t forget Tony’s impassioned remarks, and his subsequent taking off. More important still, there is Bill Hart’s gun, with two empty chambers. Also the bullet hole in the wall. What more do you want?”
“Oh, it seems to be well substantiated,” Eden agreed.
“It is. No doubt about it—somebody was shot at this place Wednesday night. We thought at first Thorn was the killer, now we switch to Madden. Madden lured somebody to Thorn’s room, or cornered him there, and killed him. Why? Because he was afraid of him? We think hard about Wednesday night—and what do we want to know? We want to know—
