THE PEAL OF DOOM

“Here’s to good old sappy Cecil!” laughed Inez Watson, raising her glass. “If he knew I was here he’d…”

The doorbell pealed.

“Just the delicatessen boy,” Norton assured her.

The startled Norton opened the door to Cecil Watson who covered him. In Norton’s living room Watson turned up the radio, pocketed his own gun, took Norton’s from his desk and without a word crashed a bullet through Inez’s heart.

Then he forced Norton to type and sign the following note:

Inez would not be unfaithful to Cecil, so I shot her. I am now going to kill myself.

Rex Norton.

Ah! That was saving face!

A bullet nipped through Norton’s brain. Watson was deadly calm—so he thought.

“On with the gloves,” he muttered. “Raise the shade. There. Turn down the radio. Now get Norton’s prints on his own gun. That’s it. Could use a drink, but…no…no mistakes now!”

Watson walked to the door, snapped off the lights and left.

* * * *

Before the police entered the house, Watson explained to Fordney:

“I came here to kill them both. I knew Inez was here. I peeked under the window shade and to my amazement saw Norton shoot her, write something on the typewriter, then blast his brains out. I called headquarters and waited outside.”

The Professor switched on the lights and for five minutes moved about the living room “getting the picture” in silence.

He handed Watson the note.

“Oh, my God!” cried Watson. “She wasn’t unfaithful! Inez darling, I…”

“Take the murdering hypocrite along, Sergeant,” barked Fordney.

What single clue inspired the Professor’s order? Turn page for solution.