THE MYSTIC SOLVES HIS MURDER

The room was a shambles. A bullet wound in his head, famed Indian mystic, Haroun Bey, lay sprawled on the floor. Nearby was a nondescript brown single-breasted sports coat. In the dead man’s hand was a button which Bey had torn from the garment while, thought Fordney, he and his assailant struggled for possession of the weapon. In tearing off the button a hole had been made in the coat’s left side. After killing the seer his murderer had started to search the séance room but had been interrupted, perhaps surprised, and had hastily left. Such at least were the Professor’s deductions.

Had the killer found what he was looking for? If so, what was it?

Three people were known to have visited Bey that evening.

At 7:30 socially prominent Ida Pettinelli had called. Fordney learned she had a score to settle with the seer because he had revealed to her husband (for a substantial sum) a jealously guarded secret.

At 8:45 Attorney James Ross, whose name had been mentioned as the next governor, visited Bey. A few days before, the Indian had threatened to make public (unless paid for silence) an incident which would ruin his career.

At 9:10 Ira Hogan was admitted. Upon Bey’s advice he had invested heavily in a crooked scheme which backfired and had lost everything. A pauper, health gone, spirit broken, Hogan had sworn vengeance.

Professor Fordney established definitely that Bey was alive at 7:30, the hour of his first evening appointment. All three suspects refused to talk; each disclaimed any knowledge of the murder. An incriminating paper concerning Ross was missing from Bey’s room.

Reviewing the evidence, Fordney detained one of the three for further investigation.

Whom did Fordney suspect? Why? Turn page for solution.