“Well, gentlemen, to what do I owe the honor of this visit?” asked Mr. Hardy.

“We’ve been hearin’ things about this Tower Mansion case,” observed Chief Collig gravely. “You’ve been workin’ on it, eh?”

“Perhaps.”

“You’ve been out of town for quite a few days. You must have been workin’ on it.”

“That’s what we dedooce, anyway,” put in Detective Smuff.

“Perhaps it’s my own business.”

“Police business is everybody’s business,” declared Collig judicially. “What we want to know is⁠—did you find any clues?”