that this one bore any distinguishing marks. Why not another of the same design?"
"In that case Mrs. Whittall's gun would have been found."
"Maybe it was."
The Inspector slowly nodded. "A case begins to shape itself," he said. "What do you want me to do?"
"It is not yet a matter of public interest," said Mme. Storey. "As soon as we have sufficient evidence that it is, we will put it in your hands. In the meantime I wish you'd trace where and when Whittall bought the gun that he gave
beautiful apartment, with its rare old Italian furnishings and pictures. She herself was wearing a Fortuny gown adapted from the same period; and when you turned your back to the windows which looked out on matter-of-fact New York, you were transported right back to sixteenth century Florence.
I felt