Daniel led the way, not stopping in the hall but continuing to the larger, quieter space of the warehouse. “Any of those men gathered outside work here?”

“Yes, most of them.”

Owen returned, but Daniel sent him right back out. “Fetch one of the men outside, one who is employed here and would know the other workers.”

Without an answer—for once—he departed.

A beefy man with a red nose and cheeks strode inside a few moments later. “Word is there’s a dead man in ’ere.”

Daniel led him back into the manager’s office. “Word is correct. Do you know this man? Was he a mill employee?”

The newcomer’s brows came down, and he leaned from the waist to view the man’s face. “He don’t work ’ere.”

“You’re certain?” Daniel asked. “And if I could have your name please?”

“Bell’s my name. Been working this mill since I was a boy.” He tucked his hands beneath his braces. “Know every man on the payroll, and this in’t one of ’em.”

“Thank you. That’s all I needed to know.” It wasn’t, but it was all the man could probably tell him.

“Who bashed his head in?”

“That’s what we’re trying to sort out.”

“Might have been looters squabbling over something. Been having trouble with folks sneaking in here. That’s why we’re hanging about outside. Taking turns, as it were, watching over the place. We want the mill up and running again soon, and it won’t be if thieves break in to steal the parts and pieces.”

“Who patrolled last night? And at what time?” Perhaps, at last, a line of inquiry. Daniel indicated they should return to the warehouse to talk.

When they rejoined Tollar and Landsem, Bell shifted his weight. “We weren’t looking after things yet last night. This morning’s meeting out there was to get us organized. I know they have the fence, but it wasn’t keeping anyone out. I was one of the men that engineer hired to come in yesterday and take off the bits of the roof that were ready to fall.” He pointed to the ceiling, as if they could see the roof several floors above. “I could see there were some tools missing and some sacks of flour. I told the boys, and we decided to keep a lookout ourselves. Can’t expect the town’s watchmen to do everything by themselves.”

Mr. Landsem nodded and sent Bell a look of gratitude.

Additional patrol was a good idea, though it was too late for the dead man.

Owen stood in the doorway, and Daniel beckoned him in and handed him the notebook.