“If I had had an idea of this,” he groaned. “I wish to God I had never got that little Belgian to ferret out the truth. Find Ruth’s murderer⁠—that was all I thought about.”

“You wouldn’t have liked your son-in-law to go scot free?”

Van Aldin sighed.

“I would have preferred to take the law into my own hands.”

“I don’t think that would have been a very wise proceeding, sir.”

“All the same⁠—are you sure the fellow wants to see me?”

“Yes, Mr. Van Aldin. He is very urgent about it.”