"I'm worried about my Uncle Phil." Stephen Bates' voice was anxious over the telephone. "He failed to keep a dinner engagement
with me tonight. Do you mind meeting me at his place --- say in half an hour?"
Dr. Haledjian agreed and he was waiting in the lobby of Philip Bates' apartment building when Stephen arrived by cab.
"My uncle thought he was being followed the last couple of days," said Stephen. "He keeps a great deal of cash in a wall
safe in his den. Unfortunately, he isn't exactly secretive about it."
"Did you try to reach him tonight?" asked Haledjian.
"When he didn't show up for dinner, I telephoned his home. I got no answer."
"Leaving the elevator on the fourteenth floor, the two men walked rapidly to the door of Philip Bates' bachelor apartment.
It was unlocked. In the entrance hall burned the only light.
"Better have a look in the den," suggested Haledijian.
Stephen nodded and led the way. He paused at the door to the darkened room. "There's a floor lamp in the corner," he said,
and disappeared into the darkness. An instant later the room was bathed in light. Directly behind the desk a small oval safe
door was open. Stephen stood in a corner, one hand on the lamp, an expression of alarm twisting his face. He stepped back
over the unmoving form of his uncle, who lay at his feet. "I-is he dead?"
Haledjian knelt beside Philip Bates. "No, a nasty blow on the head, but not fatal --- lucky for you! You went to a lot
of trouble to through me off the scent. Then at the last minute you practically confessed to the crime!"
