'That's all I need at the moment,' said Abel. 'How can you be so certain it's Pacey?'

'We traced him to the casualty ward at the local hospital, the same day as the fire. A routine check asking the hospital to let us know if anyone had come in that day with severe burns. By chance - which is so often the case in police work since we're not all born to be Sherlock Holmes. - a sergeant's wife who had been a waitress at the Richmond told us that he used to be the manager. tven I can put those two and two's together. The guy came clean pretty quick, didn't seem that interested in being caught, only in pulling off what he called his own St. Valentine's Day Massacre.

Until a few moments ago I wasn't sure what the object of that revenge was, but I sure know now; though I'm not too surprised. So that just about wraps the case up, Mr. Rosnovski.'

The lieutenant sucked on his straw until the gurgling sound convinced him he had drained the last drop.

'Have another milk shake?'

'No, I'll give this one a miss. I've got a heavy day ahead of me.' He got clown from the stool. 'Good luck, Mr. Rosnovski. If you can prove to the insurance boys you had no involvement with Pacey, you'll get your money.

I'll do everything I can to help when the case reaches court. Keep in touch.'

Abel watched him disappear through the door. He gave the waitress a dollar and walked out on to the pavement staring into space, a space where the Richmond Hotel had been less than a month ago. Then he turned and strolled back to the Stevens deep in thought.

There was another message from Henry Osborne, still leaving no clue as to who he was. There was only one way to find out. Abel called Osborne, who turned out to be a claims inspector with the Great Western Casualty Insurance Cornpany with whom the hotel had their policy. Abel made an appointment to see the man at noon. He then called William Kane in Boston and gave him a report on the hotels he had visited in the group.

'And may I say again, Mr. Kane, that I could turn those hotels' losses Into profits if your bank would give me the time and the backing. What I did in Chicago I know I can do for the rest of the group.'

'Possibly you could, Mr. Rosnovski, but I fear it will not be with Kane and Cabot's money. May I remind you that you have only five days left in which to find a backer. Good day sir.'

'YN; League snob,' said Abel into the deaf telephone. 'I'm not classv enough for your money, am I? Some day, you bastard. . .'

The next item on Abel's agenda was the insurance man. Henry Osborne turned out to be a tall good - looking man with dark eyes and a mop of dark hair just turning grey. Abel found his easy manner congenial. Osborne had little to add to Lieutenant O'Malley's story. Tle Great Western Casualty Insurance Company had no intention of paying any part of the claim, while the police were pressing for a charge of arson against Desmond Pacey, and until it was proved that Abel himself was in no way involved. Henry Osborne seemed to be very understanding about the whole problem.

'H~s the Richmond group enough money to rebuild the hotel?'asked Osborne.

'Not a red cent,' said Abel. "Ilie rest of the group is mortgaged up to the hilt, and the bank is pressing me to sell.'

'Why you?'said Osborne.

Abel explained how he had come to own the group's shares without actually owning the hotels. Henry Osborne was somewhat surprised.

'Surely the bank can see for themselves how well you ran that hotel? Every businessman in Chicago is aware you were the first mana,er ever to make a profit for Davis Leroy. I know the banks are groing through hard times, but even they ought to know when to make an exception for their own good.'

'Not this bank.'

'Continental Trust?' said Osborne. 'I've always found old Curtis Fenton a bit starchy but amenable enough.'

'It's not Continental. The hotels are owned by a Boston bank called Kane and Cabot!

Henry Osborne went white and sat down.

'Are you all right?' asked Abel.

'Yes, I'm fine.'

'You don't by any chance know Kane and Cabot?'

'Off the record?' said Henry Osborne.

'Sure.'

"Yes, my company had to deal with them once before in the past.' He seemed to be hesitating. 'And we ended up having to take them to court!

'Why?'

'I can't reveal the details. A messy business. Let's just say one of the directors was not totally honest and open with us.

'Which one?'asked Abel.

'Which one did you have to deal withe'Osbome enquired.