A successful lawyer relocates to a prestigious office on Madison Avenue, where he becomes intrigued by his neighbor, Amos Gately, the esteemed president of the Puritan Trust Company. One day, during a brewing snowstorm, he witnesses a violent altercation through the clouded glass of Gately's office door, culminating in a gunshot and a woman's scream. Rushing to investigate, he finds Gately's office empty, with no sign of the individuals involved, only the lingering smell of gunpowder. Confused and anxious, he contemplates reporting the incident but hesitates due to the lack of concrete evidence. His competent stenographer, Norah, urges him to investigate further, believing Gately has been shot by a woman. They search the luxurious offices for clues, discovering a hatpin that suggests a female presence. Despite their efforts, they find no trace of the people involved or the weapon used. The lawyer decides to contact the bank for assistance, while Norah remains behind to gather more information. The mystery deepens as they grapple with the inexplicable disappearance of the individuals involved in the violent confrontation, leaving them both bewildered and determined to uncover the truth behind the incident.
By Carolyn Wells · First published 1907 · Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction, Detective Fiction · 18 chapters