Assuming that the caller was Colonel Crockett, arrived—albeit somewhat earlier than I had anticipated—for dinner, I arose from my place and hurriedly made my way to the front door. Throwing it open, I was amazed to discover, not the frontiersman, but a personage I had not anticipated seeing again—Police Captain Russell!

I invited him inside, whereupon he stepped over the threshold, doffed his hat, and said: “I apologize for this sudden intrusion, Mr. Poe, but a matter of extreme, if puzzling, significance has arisen. I would be very much obliged if you would accompany me to the scene of this mystifying development”

“Indeed,” I replied, “this is a most unexpected turn. But what in heavens name has occurred?”

“Something that bears directly upon the homicide of Mrs. Macready and calls into serious question the guilt of her presumed killer, the late Mr. Roger Asher.”

Far from taking me by surprise, this statement only served to confirm my nagging suspicions; for—in contrast to the frontiersman’s sense of absolute certainty—my own belief in Asher’s culpability had been tempered by grave and appreciable doubts.

“I have no objection to your proposal, Captain Russell,” I declared, “and indeed welcome every opportunity to assist. I am, however, expecting the momentary arrival of Colonel Crockett, who has been invited here as a guest for dinner.”

“He will not be coming” was the captains surprising reply.

This pronouncement elicited a sharp twinge of apprehension in the depths of my bosom. “Has some mishap befallen him?”

“Oh, no! Not at all,” the captain hastened to assure me. “But when apprised of this recent development, I immediately sent word to the colonel, who is even now awaiting us at the scene.”

“But what precisely is it that you have discovered?” I cried, my curiosity having been raised to the highest imaginable pitch.

“Something distressing,” came the portentous reply. “Something very distressing indeed.”

CHAPTER 14

Before leaving, I took the time to compose a note to Muddy, informing her that a crisis had arisen which would require the presence of both myself and Colonel Crockett. Had she not already completed her errands, she should refrain from purchasing any provisions of a perishable nature, since it seemed likely that this sudden and wholly unforeseen occurrence would necessitate a deferral of our dinner plans.

Next, I sought out little Jimmy Johnston—the same lad who had displayed such uncontained admiration for the frontiersman when the latter first appeared at my dwelling—and (with the inducement of a copper penny) prevailed upon him to repair to Lexington Street, where Muddy and Sissy had gone to do their marketing, and deliver the note.

I then fetched my frockcoat and departed with Captain Russell, who remained mute on the purpose of his mission—though its urgency was clearly betokened in the tautness of his visage and the grim determination of his stride.