The Circular Study

Nothing in the exterior spoke crime or even disturbance. A closed door, a clean stoop, heavily curtained windows, some were further shielded by closely drawn shades, were eloquent of inner quiet and domestic respectability, while its calm front of brick, with brownstone trimmings, offered a pleasing contrast to the adjoining buildings jutting out on either side, alive with signs and humming with business. “Some mistake,” muttered Gryce to himself, as the perfect calm reigning over the whole establishment struck him anew. But before he had decided he had been made the victim of a hoax, a movement took place in the area under the stoop, and an officer stepped out, with a countenance expressive of sufficient perplexity for Mr. Gryce to motion him back with the hurried inquiry. “Anything wrong? Any blood shed? All seems quiet here.” The officer, recognizing the old detective, touched his hat. “Can’t get in,” he said. “Have rung all the bells. Would think the house empty if I had not seen something like a stir in one of the windows overhead. Shall I try to make my way into the rear yard through one of the lower windows of Knapp & Co.’s store, next door?” “Yes, and take this boy with you. Lock him up in some one of their offices, and then break your way into this house by some means. It ought to be easy enough from the back yard.” The officer nodded, took the boy by the arm, and in a minute had disappeared with him into the adjoining store. Mr. Gryce remained in the area, where he was presently besieged by a crowd of passers-by, eager to add their curiosity to the trouble they had so quickly scented. The opening of the door from the inside speedily put an end to importunities for which he had as yet no reply, and was enabled to slip within, where he found himself in a place of almost absolute quiet. Before him lay a basement hall leading to a kitchen, which, even at that moment, he noticed to be in trimmer condition than is usual where much housework is done, but he saw nothing that spoke tragedy, or even a break in the ordinary routine of life as observed in houses of like size and pretension. Satisfied what he sought was not to be found here, he followed the officer upstairs. As they emerged upon the parlor floor, the latter dropped the following information.