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THE BLACK CAMEL

murderer’s shoe, and broke off there. Did this happen, and did it go unnoticed by killer? It might. If so, there may be tell-tale scratches on polished floors of house at Waikiki. I speed there at once to look for same.”

The Chief pondered. “Well, there might be something in it, at that. I'll give you a chance to find out. Go along, and I’ll wait here for news.”

In the doorway, Charlie encountered Kashimo. The little Japanese was worn and dispirited. “Have combed town twenty, maybe fifty, times. Mr. Smith no longer exists.”

“A fine detective you are,” growled the Chief. “Smith is out there in a cell now. Charlie found him.”

Disappointment and distress showed in the eyes of the Japanese. Charlie paused at the door and came back. He patted the little man’s shoulder.

“Cheer yourself up,” he said kindly. “Be good boy, attend all meetings of Y. M. B. A., and you will yet win success. Nobody is perfect. Take look at me. Twenty-seven years on force, and I am nowhere near so clever as I thought I was.”

He walked slowly from the room.

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