THE SECRETARY’S STORY

The Professor carefully picked up a letter lying near a revolver beside the dead man, and held it to the light. The watermark on the sheet of fine, smooth, uncreased paper of excellent quality, 7½ by 11 inches, was plainly visible, proving that the paper, while similar in appearance and texture to that found in Leopold’s desk, was not the same.

Fordney murmured something to himself and rang for the dead man’s secretary.

“Now, Willard, let’s have your story.”

“Well, first of all, Professor, I have absolutely no idea why Mr. Leopold committed suicide. He has been in unusually good spirits of late and was keenly anticipating a trip abroad next week.”

The secretary went on to say that after opening the afternoon mail which brought the letter Fordney had so carefully examined, he had taken it to his employer in the study. About an hour later, desiring some information, he returned to the room and found Leopold sitting in front of an open window staring at the garden, a dark, brooding scowl on his face. Receiving no reply to his question Willard looked closer and discovered him dead! Yes, the two men were alone in the house at the time.

Fordney again studied the letter with its large, bold feminine handwriting which definitely ended a love affair with Leopold. It was signed L. B.

“Who is L. B.?” he suddenly demanded.

“Why…Miss Benedict,” Willard replied with slight hesitation.

“Come, tell me the truth about this affair!” Fordney demanded.

How did Fordney know the secretary was lying? Turn page for solution.