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a lie. And you’ve based your whole investigation on it. It’s not like you, Charlie, to be tricked like that.”

Chan nodded. “If I had time to do so, I would droop my head in shame. However, I choose now to forget the past. From this point on, my investigation takes new turn——”

“What do you mean—from this point on?” his Chief demanded. “The case is ended—don’t you know that?”

“You think so?”

“I’m sure of it. In the morning Shelah Fane tells Tarneverro she killed Denny Mayo. Mayo was his brother. In the evening, she’s found murdered. What could be simpler than that? I’m going to arrest the fortune-teller at once.”

Charlie raised his hand. “No, no—I advise against that. You forget his alibi, solid as stone wall, not to be shaken.”

“We'll have to shake it. It’s evidently false. It must be. Either those old people are lying to save him, or else he tricked them as he tricked you——”

“I do not think so,” Chan said stubbornly.

“What's the matter with you, Charlie? Losing your grip? We never had a clearer case than this. The little matter of the alibi——”

“Something else, too,” Chan reminded him. “Why did Tarneverro say he would call me down the beach to arrest a murderer? His words stick in my mind and will not be unlodged. I tell you firmly, this problem not yet solved.”

“I can’t understand you, Charlie.”

“Only one thing made clear by Mr. Fyfe’s interesting story. I know now why Mr. Tarneverro did not