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that? Why has he, as matter of fact, fiercely struggled to keep it from me? You heard what lady said about resemblance. That explains at once why all pictures of Mayo were torn to bits. Tarneverro was willing to travel long length to make sure we do not discover this fact just related to us.” He sighed. “Anyhow, we have learned why portraits were destroyed.”

“Yes, but that doesn’t get us anywhere,” the Chief replied. “If it was his brother who was killed, and he was on the point of asking you to arrest the murderer as soon as Shelah Fane revealed the name, I’d think that he would naturally tell you of his connection with Mayo—especially after the news of Miss Fane’s death. It would have been a logical explanation of his interest in the case. Instead of telling you, he tries desperately to keep the relationship hidden.” The Chief paused. “Strange none of these Hollywood folks ever noticed a resemblance between Mayo and the fortune-teller.”

Chan shook his head. “Not likely they would. The two visit town at widely separated times, and were not seen together there. Many people, Mrs. MacMaster said, would not note the resemblance, but Tarneverro flatters me by assuming I am one who would. As for others, he knows well it is the kind of likeness almost no one sees until it is pointed out. Then everybody sees it. Human nature is like that.”

“Human nature is getting to be too much for me,” growled the Chief. “What course do you propose to take with this fortune-teller when he gets here?”

“I plan to walk softly. We will say nothing about his many misendeavors, but we will speak of this thing we have just learned. What reasons will he give for his silence? They may have vast significance.”