Isabel Ostrander

“ The inspector turned and led the way to the study with Mr. Alexander following and McCarty bringing up the rear. As they entered Clancy and the two detectives stepped aside exposing the motionless form outstretched upon the floor, and with a shocked exclamation the banker recoiled.
"It is he!—But Eugene never killed himself! Of that I am as sure as though I had been present when the deed was done!"
"Why are you so certain, Mr. Alexander?" the inspector asked.
"There could have been no reason," the other repeated. "No one ever loved life better than he or knew how to enjoy it to the full. ”

“ The note of defense was again evident in the banker's tones. "If he had any hobby beyond an innate love of beautiful things and a desire to acquire them I never learned it and I have found that it is only through a knowledge of a man's hobbies or predilections that one can gauge the type of individual to whom he would naturally be drawn as a congenial companion."
Mr. Alexander halted suddenly as though he had said too much, and the inspector glanced at him sharply.
"It did not occur to you to interest yourself in your partner's companions and mode of life outside of his family and business?" ”

“ The banker shook his head decisively. "It may have been his, of course. A man whose home was filled with valuable objects of art and whose wife's jewels constituted a huge fortune in themselves would be naturally supposed to guard against burglary, but he could have had no personal reason for such an article of self-protection."
The sound of another motor car outside and the ringing of the front door bell put a stop for the time being to any further questioning by the inspector, and as one of the assistants of the chief medical examiner was ushered in the dead man's partner turned to McCarty. ”