Sweetwater was before him; but not the same Sweetwater he had interviewed some few hours before in his office.

This was quite a different looking personage.

Though nothing could change his features, the moment had come when their inharmonious lines no longer obtruded themselves upon the eye; and the anxious, nay, deeply troubled official whom he addressed, saw nothing but the ardour and quiet self-confidence they expressed.
"It'll not take long," he added, with a short significant glance in the direction of Mr.Clifton.
Dr.Perry nodded, excused himself to the lawyer and followed the detective into the small writing-room which he had occupied during the funeral.

In the decision with which Sweetwater closed the door behind them there was something which caused the blood to mount to the coroner's brow.
"You have made some discovery ?" said he.
"A very important one," was the quick, emphatic reply.

And in a few brief words the detective related his interview with the master mechanic's wife on the highroad.