Nick also lowered his voice, and for several minutes the two conversed
in rapid whispers.
"It is a jewel case, Chick; and quite a valuable one."
"So I see."
"I don't think it belonged to this girl. She looks as if she were the
maid, or possibly the companion, of some woman of wealth or distinction.
Her attire also indicates that. Hence so valuable a toy can hardly have
belonged to the girl, but more likely was the property of her mistress."
"No name on it?"
"Not even an initial. Not a mark of any kind."
"It is empty."
"Yes."
"Can the girl have been robbed of its contents, here and in broad
daylight?"
"Worse, Chick!" whispered Nick, between his teeth. "Worse even than
that."
"Good heavens, Nick! What do you mean?"
"Chick, this girl was foully murdered!"
"Murdered!" echoed Chick, with an involuntary gasp. "Can it be
possible?"
"It certainly appears so to me."
"But the means?"
"That is the mystery."
"There are no signs of violence."
"Wait a bit. Notice her right wrist, just back of the thumb and near the
pulse. Notice that tiny red spot, barely observable. It might have been
made with the point of a pin. Do you see, it?"
"Yes, now that you call my attention to it.
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