THE MANSION OF MYSTERY

Being a Certain Case of Importance, Takenfrom the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective

by

CHESTER K. STEELE

Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr"

International Fiction LibraryCleveland New YorkPress of the Commercial Bookbinding Co. , Cleveland

1911

CHAPTER I

THE STORY OF A DOUBLE TRAGEDY

The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as theferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first oneashore. He beckoned to one of the alert taxicabmen, and withoutwaiting to have the vehicle brought to him, ran to it and leaped inside. 

"Do you know where the Vanderslip Building is?" he questioned abruptly. 

"Yes, sir. "

"Then take me there with all possible speed. "

"Yes, sir. "

The door slammed, the taxi driver mounted to his seat, and off the taxistarted at the best rate of speed the driver could attain. The youngman sank down among the cushions and buried his chin in his hands. 

His face, normally a handsome one, was now wrinkled with care, his hairwas disheveled, and he looked as if he had lost much sleep. At timeshis mouth twitched nervously and he clenched his fists in a passionwhich availed him nothing. 

"To think that she is guilty!" he muttered. "It is horrible!Horrible!" And then his whole frame shook as if with the ague. Twicehe started up, to see if he had not yet arrived at his destination. But the drive was a long one, and to him, in his keen anxiety, itappeared an age. 

"If he is away--out of town--in Europe, or on some case which he cannotleave, what am I to do?" he murmured. "I've pinned my whole faith onhim. "

Presently there was a jar, and the taxicab came to a halt in front of alarge office building. The young man gave one look, and, before thedriver could get down, had the door open and was on the pavement. "Here you are, " he said and thrust a dollar bill into the fellow'shand. Then he crossed the broad pavement and was lost to sight in thecorridor beyond. 

"In a hurry and no mistake, and looks a heap worried, too, " was thechauffeur's comment. "Well, I'm a quarter ahead on that fare. "

For a moment the young man studied the directory on the corridor wall. Then he entered an elevator and alighted at the eighth floor. He, walked down a side hall until he came to a door upon the glass of whichwas inscribed the name:

 _Adam Adams_

"This must be the place, " he murmured, and opening the door he enteredthe office, to find himself in a plain but neatly furnished apartment, containing several chairs, and a flat-top desk, at which a young ladywas writing. 

"Is Mr. Adams in?" he asked, as the young lady arose to meet him. 

"What name, please?" was the counter question, and the young lady gavethe visitor a keen glance. 

"Raymond Case. " The young man brought forth his card. "Tell Mr. AdamsI am the son of the late Wilbur Case, and wish to see him on importantbusiness. "

The young lady disappeared through a door leading to an innerapartment. From this she entered another apartment, much larger, andoverlooking the little city park far below. The room was filled withbooks and pictures, and some wall brackets contained several bits offinely-carved statuary. There was one large roller-top desk and threecomfortable leather chairs. 

At the desk sat a man of uncertain age, with a strong face, a somewhatbald head, and eyes that were neither light nor dark. The man was ofordinary height, but muscular to a surprising degree. His face showeda high order of intelligence and his mouth a determination not easilythrust aside. 

"A gentleman to see you, " said the young lady. She placed the cardbefore him. "He told me to tell you that he is the son of the lateWilbur Case, and wishes to see you on important business. "

The man at the desk drew a long breath and looked up from a slip ofpaper which he had been studying through a microscope. "Raymond Case, eh? All right, Letty, show him in. "

In another moment the visitor was in the private office. Adam Adamsarose and gave him a warm handshake. 

"Glad to meet you, Mr. Case, " he said cordially. "I knew your latefather quite well--a fine man--a very fine man, indeed. Have a chairand make yourself at home. " He noted that his visitor was muchagitated and flushed. "Sit down by the window; there is a nice breezethere from across the park. "

"Mr. Adams, I would like to see you in private, " returned the youngman, as he took a seat and mopped his forehead with his handkerchief. 

"Very well, " and the office door was carefully closed. Then came abrief pause, during which Raymond Case cleared his throat several times. 

"Mr. Adams, you do not know much about me, but I know a great dealabout you, " he commenced. "Three or four years ago you recovered somestolen mining shares for my father, and last year you cleared up theSandford mystery, after the police and the other detectives had failedcompletely. "

Adam Adams bowed. He rarely spoke unless there was occasion for it. 

"May I ask if you are now at liberty?" pursued the young man. 

"At liberty? Bless you, no! I have half a dozen cases on hand. Twohere in the city--one over in New Jersey--one in Yonkers, and--"

"But you will undertake a case for me, if I pay you well for it, won'tyou?" interrupted the young man eagerly. "Don't say no--please don't!"And there was a ring of agony in his speech. "I am depending upon you!"

The detective paused before replying, and looked the young man overwith care. The clean-cut features showed not a sign of dissipation, and the expression was honesty itself. Certainly the young man had notgotten into trouble on his own account. 

"I should want to know something about the case before I promised to doanything. "

"Certainly--of course--" The young man cleared his throat again. 

"You can tell me what the trouble is and if I decline to take the caseI will give you my promise not to say a word to any outsider of whathas passed between us. "

"Oh, I know I can trust you, Mr. Adams, otherwise I should not havecalled here. My father said you were the squarest man he had everdealt with. I came to see you about the Langmore affair. "

"You mean the murder of Mr. And Mrs. Barry Langmore at Beechwood Hill?"

"Yes. "

Adam Adams was surprised, although he did not show it. What had thisrich young man, who lived in Orange, New Jersey, and did business inWall Street, to do with that double tragedy which had so shocked thecommunity?

"I presume you know some of the particulars of the sad affair, " resumedRaymond Case. "The newspapers have been full of it. "

"I know that the pair were found murdered. I have not looked intodetails, being so busy with other matters. "

"It was an outrageous deed, Mr. Adams!" cried the young man, jumping upand beginning to pace the floor. "One of the foulest of which I haveever heard. "

"A murder is always foul, no matter under what circumstances it iscommitted. What do you wish me to do?"

"Find the murderer. "

"That may not be easy. Are not other detectives already working on thecase?"

"Yes, but they are only local men and not worth their salt. "

"They may be doing all that can be done. It is a mistake to presumethat every mystery of this sort can be solved. Here in New York men goto their death every year and nobody ever finds out how, or by whathand. "

"But the local men simply jump at conclusions. They are a set of blindfools, and--" The young man stopped short. 

Adam Adams smiled faintly. He knew something of the bungling work doneby detectives of small caliber. Had he not himself once saved a poorJew from hanging after several country detectives had apparently provedthe fellow guilty? And had not those same sleuths of the law beenangry at him ever since?

"Excuse me, Mr. Case, but how is it that you take an interest in thisaffair?" he asked. "Are you related to the Langmores in any way?"

"I am not. " The young man began to blush. "Is it necessary that Itell you why?" he stammered. 

"It is not necessary for you to tell me anything, " responded thedetective dryly. 

"I didn't mean to say--"

"Let me give you a word of advice. Never try to get a detective to doanything for you unless you are willing to tell him all you know andall you suspect. It is generally hard enough to solve an enigmawithout having other mysteries attached to it. "

The young man lowered his face and looked confused for a moment. 

"Then I will tell you everything, " he said. "You may take notes if youwish. "

"It is not necessary, since I have a good memory. "

"The Langmores lived just on the outskirts of the town, on the roadleading to Sidham, which is several miles distance. "

"I have a general idea of the location. "

"The house is a fine, old-fashioned stone mansion, setting well backfrom the road, and surrounded by a well-kept lawn and numerous treesand bushes. At the rear of the garden is a small stream, which flowsinto the river a mile and a half below. "

"Is the place surrounded by a fence?"

"On two sides only. In the front there is a hedge and in the rear thelittle stream forms the boundary of the property. "

"I understand. "

"At the time of the tragedy there were four persons in the house, sofar as known--Mr. And Mrs. Langmore, Mr. Langmore's daughter, Margaret, and a servant, Mary Billings. "

"Wait a moment. You said Mr. Langmore's daughter. Was she not Mrs. Langmore's daughter also?"

"No. You see Mr. Langmore was a widower when he married the presentMrs. Langmore, who was a widow. There are two sets of children. "

"I understand. When did the tragedy occur?"

"At some time between eleven and twelve in the morning. During thattime Margaret Langmore was in her room writing several letters, and waspracticing on the piano in the parlor. The house is a large one, withsixteen rooms and several hallways and stairs. "

"Where was the servant?"

"In the kitchen and out to the barn. There are two other girls, butone is in the hospital sick and the other was to town on an errand. "

"Where were Mr. And Mrs. Langmore?"

"The daughter thought her stepmother had gone out to visit a neighbor, as she had said something about doing so earlier in the morning. Mr. Langmore had gone to the bank in town at nine o'clock and Margaret sawhim come home about half-past ten or eleven. "

"What was she doing at the time?"

"Practicing on the piano. She heard her father go directly to hislibrary, which is situated across the hallway from the parlor. Sheheard the door shut, and then went on with her practicing. "

"Did she hear anything in the library?"

"She thinks she heard something, but is not sure. She was practicing avery difficult piece by Wagner--"

"And it was loud enough to drown out every other sound. "

"That's it. When the clock struck twelve she stopped practicing tolearn if lunch was ready. She also wanted to speak to her father, andso crossed the hallway and opened the library door. " The young man'svoice began to tremble a little. "She found her father stretchedlifeless in an armchair. "

"How had he been killed?"

"That is a part of the mystery. He was either choked or smothered todeath, or else he was poisoned. The doctors don't seem to be able toget at the bottom of it. "

For the first time since Raymond Case had begun his recital Adam Adamsbegan to show an interest. 

"If the man was strangled his throat should show the marks, " heobserved. 

"There are no marks, and the doctors have found no trace of poison. "

"Humph!" The detective rubbed his chin reflectively. "What next?"

"Margaret Langmore was so horrified she ran from the room screamingwildly. Her shrieks brought the servant to the spot, and a minutelater two of the neighbors, Mrs. Bardon and her son Alfred, came overfrom next door. "

"Where was Mrs. Langmore at this time?"

"Nobody knew. Alfred Bardon is a physician, and, thinking there mightstill be a spark of life in Mr. Langmore, did all he possibly could toresuscitate the gentleman. The servant girl ran upstairs to find somedrugs for him and in the upper hallway stumbled over the dead body ofMrs. Langmore. "

"And how had she died?"

"In the same manner as her husband. This news of a double tragedy wastoo much for Margaret, and she fainted. The others notified more ofthe neighbors and the police, and of course, the news spread likewildfire. I was stopping at the Beechwood Hotel at the time and assoon as I heard of the tragedy, I jumped into an automobile that washandy and rode over. "

"Then you arrived at the house about as soon as the police?"

"A little before. "

"What did you see?"

"Just what I have told you. The doctor had been trying to bring Mr. Langmore around but had suddenly been taken sick and could do nothing. "

"Humph, sick, eh? Did he say what made him sick?"

"He did not know. He thought it might be from leaning over the deadman, or from working in that position. I think the sudden sicknessfrightened him a little. "

"When the police arrived what did they find of importance?"

"Nothing. "

"Had anything been stolen?"

"Nothing, so far as they could learn. "

"Of course, you must have known these folks pretty well to take such aninterest. "

"I knew Mr. Langmore very well and I was acquainted with his wife. "

Adam Adams knit his brow for a moment and tapped lightly on his deskwith his forefinger. 

"Have the police any idea as to how the murderer got into the house andgot out again?" he asked. 

At this question Raymond Case's face flushed. 

"They do not think the murderer left the house, " he answered in a lowtone. 

CHAPTER II

LOVE UNDER A SHADOW

Raymond Case dropped back into his chair and buried his face in hishands. Adam Adams eyed him curiously and with something of a fatherlyglance. 

"It is plain to see what his trouble is, " thought the detective. "Heis in love. "

He was right, Raymond Case was furiously, desperately, hopelessly inlove. He had met Margaret Langmore at Bar Harbor but a few short weeksbefore, and it had been a case of love at first sight upon both sides. A few automobile rides and a few dances, and he had proposed and beenaccepted, and he had counted himself the happiest man in all this wideworld. And now--

"Then they suspect the servant girl?" queried Adam Adams, knowing theydid nothing of the sort. 

"No!" came sharply. "They suspect Margaret--Miss Langmore. "

"Ah!"

"Yes. It is--is preposterous--absurd, but they insist. And that iswhat has brought me to you. I want to prove her innocence to theworld. Do that, and you can name your own price, Mr. Adams. "

"You have a high regard for the young lady--you are close friends?"

"More. I may as well tell you, though so far Margaret and I have keptthe matter more or less a secret. I love her and we are engaged to bemarried. "

"Did Mr. Langmore know of his daughter's engagement?"

"He did, and he approved of it. "

"And what of Mrs. Langmore, didn't she approve?"

"She did not know of it. Margaret did not tell her. "

"Why not?"

"Because--well, the young lady and her stepmother did not get alongvery well together. Margaret wanted to be friendly, but Mrs. Langmorewas very dictatorial, and besides she loved her own children betterthan Mr. Langmore's. "

"Let me ask, was the daughter on good terms with her father?"

"Yes, excepting on one point. He wished her to obey her stepmother andthat she was not always willing to do. This brought on a run of pettyquarrels which fairly made Margaret sick. "

"And this is the reason why the police think Miss Langmore the guiltyperson?"

"It is. Their theory is that she first quarrelled with her stepmotherand murdered her, and then struck down her father to cover her guilt, he having discovered what she was doing. "

"How old is Miss Langmore?"

"She has just passed her twenty-third birthday. "

"Humph! Rather young to commit such a cold-blooded crime as this. "

"She never did do it--I'll wager my life on it! Oh, it'sabsurd--insulting! But what are you going to do with a lot ofpig-headed country police--"

"How did they come to suspect her? Was there nothing else?"

"Yes, there was. Mrs. Bardon, the woman who lives next door, is agreat gossip and one who is continually poking her nose into otherfolks' business. She told the police that she was out in the gardencutting a bouquet early in the morning, and she heard a violent quarrelgoing on at the breakfast table between Mrs. Langmore and Margaret, andthat Mr. Langmore took his wife's part. Margaret wished to give asmall house party and Mrs. Langmore would not listen to it. "

"Did Mrs. Bardon hear all that was said?"

"No, only enough to make her run to the police with the tale. "

"Is any other house near by?"

"The Harrison mansion, but it is locked up, as the family is in Europe. "

"Did you hear if Mrs. Bardon and her son were home all morning?"

"They were, excepting when the doctor went out to make some calls, between nine and eleven. "

"Did they see any suspicious characters around the Langmore mansion?"

"Not a soul. "

"Did Mary Billings, the servant, see anybody?"

"She thinks she saw somebody near the river, but she is not sure; infact, she is so scared that she is all mixed up. She has told thepolice a thousand times that she had nothing to do with the crime. "

"Did Miss Langmore see anybody?"

"She saw a Doctor Bird pass in his buggy and a farmer named Carboy goby on foot. "

"When was this?"

"While she was at the piano. She doesn't know the exact time. "

There was a pause and the detective gave a faraway look out of thewindow and down the bustling thoroughfare. 

"So far as you are aware, Mr. Case, did Mr. Langmore have any personalenemies?"

"I never heard of any. "

"He was rich?"

"Yes. "

"What was his business?"

"He was a dealer in patents and a promoter. Some thought he was rathereccentric, but I never found him so. He used to have an office here inNew York but gave that up a year ago. "

"Well, what is your idea of this crime?"

"I haven't any. But I know Margaret Langmore is not guilty. "

"Evidently if they suspect her they have concluded that Mrs. Langmorewas killed first. "

"That is their idea, but it looks to me as if both were killed at aboutthe same time, although I know that couldn't very well be. "

"No, not if one was upstairs and the other down. Do you think itpossible that one killed the other and then committed suicide?"

At this Raymond Case started back. 

"I had not thought of that!" he cried. "If it is true then that clearsMargaret. " Evidently he was thinking only of the girl heloved--everything else concerning the mystery was of secondaryconsideration. 

"Such a thing is possible, although not probable, unless the two had abitter quarrel between themselves. Every crime must have a motive. People do not commit murder unless there is a reason for it or unlessthey are insane. Motives may be divided into three classes--jealousy, revenge, or gain. In this instance I think we can throw outjealousy--"

"Mrs. Langmore was jealous of Margaret. "

"And wasn't the young lady jealous of her stepmother in a way?"

"But she is not guilty--I'll stake my life on her innocence. "

"Then let us come down to revenge or gain. You say nothing was stolen. Was there a safe in the house?"

"Yes, and it is closed, and will remain so until the experts open it. "

"Nobody knew the combination but Mr. Langmore?"

"That's it. Margaret did know, but her stepmother had her fatherchange the combination and keep it to himself. "

"Had he much money in the house?"

"I think not. Margaret says her father was in the habit of depositingcash in the bank as soon as he received it. "

"What sort of promoting did he do?"

"He organized companies to manufacture his patents. He also speculatedin real estate and in mortgages. He owned two buildings in this cityand several in the country. "

"Who are the other members of the family?"

"Margaret's married sister, Mrs. Andrew Wetherby, of Sanhope, and Mrs. Langmore's two sons, Tom and Dick Ostrello. "

"Where are these people located?"

"Mrs. Wetherby is traveling with her husband in South America. TheOstrello brothers are commercial travelers and somewhere on the road. "

"Then the Ostrellos are not rich?"

"No, they are poor, and Mrs. Ostrello was poor, too, before she marriedMr. Langmore. "

There was another pause. 

"Can you tell me anything else?" asked Adam Adams. 

"Nothing of much importance. It's a deep mystery, isn't it?"

"Yes, it's very simplicity makes it deep. " The detective drew a longbreath. "I was thinking of taking a vacation. My doctor says I needit. "

"Oh!" There was a world of disappointment in the word. "Don't saythat! You must take hold of this. I planned it all out as I came totown. I know you can clear Margaret if you will only try. Think ofher position--the disgrace--my position-- Oh, you can't refuse me, Mr. Adams!" The young man came closer and caught the detective by theshoulder. "If it's money, set your price. "

"If I take hold, I'll charge you only what is fair, Mr. Case. But Inever take a case, unless--"

"Any request you have to make is already granted. "

"Unless I can first interview the person who stands accused of thecrime. "

"You can see Miss Langmore at any time. I told her that I was comingto town to interview you, and that I would bring you back with me, ifyou would come. I told her what a wonderful man you were and what youhad done for others. I think it cheered her a little, although she wasterribly cast down. "

"You must not promise too much on my account, young man. I am nowizard, and I cannot perform the impossible, much as I might wish to doso. "

"But you will come?"

"Yes, I will come. "

"At once?" cried Raymond Case impatiently. 

"At once. "

CHAPTER III

MARGARET LANGMORE

As Raymond Case had said, the Langmore mansion was a large one, settingin the midst of an extensive lawn, sprinkled here and there with maplesand oaks and fine flowering bushes. The hedge in front was well keptand the side fences were also in good repair. In the rear was a stableand also an automobile shed, for the late master of this estate hadbeen fond of a dash in his runabout when time permitted. Down by thebrook, back of the stable, was a tiny wharf, where a boat was tied up, a craft which Margaret Langmore had occasionally taken down to theriver for a row. 

The mansion now looked dark and lonesome, although many folks passed onthe highway and whispered to each other that there was the spot wherethe gruesome tragedy had been committed. "And to think that the man'sown daughter did it, " they would generally add. "Beats all howbloodthirsty some folks can get. He must have cut her short on moneyor something and she was too high-strung to stand it. "

"No, it ain't that, " another would answer. "She's been flirting aroundwith a certain young man, a Wall Street gambler, and her motherwouldn't have it and told her so. That's the real trouble, my way ofthinking. "

Inside of the house all was as quiet as a tomb save for the ticking ofthe long clock in the lower hall. Below, a single policeman was onguard, in company with a woman, who had been sent in to help: Upstairsanother woman was stationed, to see that Margaret Langmore might nottake it upon herself to leave for parts unknown. 

Margaret sat in her own room, in the wing on the second floor, a daintyapartment, trimmed in blue and containing all her girlish treasures. On the walls were numerous photographs of her old schoolmates and theflag of the seminary she had attended. And on the mantel rested thepicture of Raymond Case, the high polish of the surface marred in onespot where a tear had fallen upon it. 

The girl was tall and slender, with a wealth of light-brown hair andeyes of deepest blue. It was more than a pretty face, for it had acertain sadness that was touching. 

For several minutes the girl had not moved. Now, as the door openedand the woman who was on guard upstairs came in, she gave a long sigh. 

"Can I do anything?" asked the woman, in a voice that was not unkindly. 

"Nothing, thank you, Mrs. Morse. "

"Would you like a cup of tea, or a bit of toast? Mrs. Jessup can makeit easy enough--she has nothing at all to do. "

"I do not care to touch a thing. "

The answer came in a dreary monotone. The girl's trials were beginningto tell upon her. At first she had tried to bear up bravely, and thewords Raymond had spoken had comforted her, but now he was gone and thewhole world looked dark once more. 

"Has anybody called?" she asked at length. 

"Nobody to see you. "

"Nobody?" Margaret began to pace the floor. "When did the coroner saythe examination was to be continued?" she went on. 

"To-morrow morning at eleven o'clock. "

"And who is to be put on the stand?"

At this question the woman in charge began to fidget. "Excuse me, miss, but I was ordered not to answer questions. I'm sorry, and I wishyou wouldn't worry so much. If I can do anything else--"

"You can do nothing. "

At that moment came the sounds of carriage wheels and a cab from thedepot drew up to the door. Margaret looked through the slats of ablind and saw that the arrivals were Raymond Case and a stranger, a manwearing a rather ordinary suit of clothing and a rough slouch hat. 

"Thank Heaven, Raymond has brought somebody!" murmured the girl. 

There was a short consultation at the front door and she heard theyoung man say: "He has a perfect right here and I demand admittance forus both. " Then another murmur followed and the pair came upstairs. They knocked on the door of Margaret's room and were admitted, and Mrs. Morse was told that she might go. 

"This gentleman has come to give Miss Langmore some advice, " saidRaymond Case. "If we want you we will call. "

"But I have orders--"

"Miss Langmore will remain in this room, so you have nothing to fear. She has a legal right to receive advice. "

"Oh, if the gentleman is a lawyer I have nothing to say, " was theretort, and Mrs. Morse swept from the room. 

The instant she was gone, the young man closed the door and then rushedup to Margaret Langmore and kissed her. 

"I have succeeded!" he cried. "I told you I would. This is Mr. AdamAdams. Mr. Adams, this is Miss Margaret Langmore. Now, I guess we aregoing to show these country bumpkins a thing or two!" he addedearnestly. 

The detective advanced and shook hands. Margaret Langmore was a trifledisappointed in his appearance and her face clouded for an instant. Raymond was quick to notice it. 

"You mustn't judge a man by his appearance. Mr. Adams makes himselflook that way on purpose. He's the smartest, swiftest--"

"That will do, " interrupted the detective with a brief smile. 

"Will you help me?" The girl eyed the detective squarely. "I--I needhelp so much. "

"I must hear your story first. "

"Oh, I thought Raymond would tell you everything. "

"He has told me all he knows. But I want to hear the story from yourown lips. Something may have slipped him, you know. "

"I will tell you everything. Please sit down. "

Margaret Langmore began her narrative. It was fully an hour before shefinished. Occasionally the detective asked a question, but for themost part he sat back with his eyes closed, as if thinking of somethingelse. 

"Now, Miss Langmore, " he exclaimed, as he straightened up at theconclusion of her recital, "whom do you suspect of this crime?"

"I suspect no one, sir. "

"Have you any idea why this awful deed was committed?" The detectivehad been on the point of saying "murder" but had checked himself. 

"Not the least in the world. "

"Some of the windows were, of course, open. What of the doors?"

"The front door and that to the side piazza were locked. The back doorwas open. "

"Then a person might have sneaked in by the back way?"

"I presume so. "

"Your father was quite dead when you found him?" asked the detectivequickly. 

"I--I--thought so. " The girl began to choke up and sob. "It--it wassuch a shock--I--I--" She could not go on. 

Adam Adams watched her keenly and noted how she trembled from head tofoot. 

"Do not take it so hard, Margaret, " put in Raymond Case, placing hishand upon her shoulder. "It will all come out right in the end--I amsure of it. "

"But it will not bring back my father!" sobbed the girl. "And he wasso dear to me! And to think that we should quarrel at all--"

"The quarrel took place at the breakfast table, so you said, " came fromAdam Adams. "And you rushed out to get away from what your stepmotherwas saying to you?"

"Yes. I could not bear it any longer. "

"Your father took Mrs. Langmore's part?"

"He did, but at the same time he told her not to be so hard on me--thatI had been without a mother to guide me so many years, and all that. "

"Do you think they quarreled between themselves after you left, orafter your father came back from the bank?"

"I cannot say as to that. "

"Mr. Adams has an idea that possibly one or the other of them wasresponsible, " put in Raymond. "He thinks one might have killed theother and then committed suicide. "

"I do not think so. I said it was possible, " corrected the detective. "In taking up an affair of this sort one must look at it from allsides. "

"I do not believe my father either killed her or committed suicide, "answered Margaret Langmore firmly. 

"Do you think Mrs. Langmore would act in such a fashion?"

The girl pondered for a moment. 

"Honestly I do not. She may have killed my father, but if so she wouldhave run away. "

"The safe was closed at the time of the tragedy?"

"Yes. "

"And absolutely nothing was stolen?"

"Nothing, so far as we have been able to ascertain. "

"Was anything out of order, as if the assassin had been scared offwhile hunting around for something to steal?"

"I did not see anything. But I was so upset I noticed scarcelyanything. "

"That was natural, of course. The safe has not yet been opened?"

"No, we are waiting for a man to come from the safe makers. "

"Now, one thing more. After you came back to the house beforepracticing what did you do?"

"I wrote some letters to girl friends, telling them I could not give ahouse party. "

"And before that?"

"I--I, must I tell? I threw myself on the bed yonder for a good cry. It was silly, I know--but--but--"

"Did you hear anything unusual while you were here? Think carefully. "

"I have tried to think it out several times. Sometimes I think I heardsome sort of a shriek, but I am not at all certain. Then, again, Ithink I heard the fall of something heavy on the floor. But it may beall fancy. "

"And that is all you can tell me?"

"Yes. " Margaret Langmore gave a long sigh. "Oh, Mr. Adams, can younot do something for me? It is horrible to be suspected in thisfashion. I cannot make a move without being watched!"

"It is certainly a cruel situation. " The detective paused. "I am sureof one thing, Miss Langmore. "

"And that is--"

"That you are innocent. Those who think you are guilty are fools, asMr. Case says. "

"Yet more than half the folks around here think that way. "

"Let them. We'll set to work to prove their mistake. "

"Good!" almost shouted Raymond Case, and his face broke out into a lookof relief. "Then you will take the case, Mr. Adams?"

"I will. "

"I know you will succeed. "

"If you do succeed, I shall be grateful to you all my life, " came fromMargaret Langmore warmly. 

CHAPTER IV

DETECTIVE AND DOCTOR

As already intimated, Adam Adams, in his career as an investigator anddetective, had solved many difficult criminal problems, yet thissomewhat remarkable individual realized that the mystery before him wasas difficult of solution as any he had yet encountered. 

The most tantalizing thing about the whole affair was its simplicity. Two people had been murdered in their own home in broad daylight. Noone had been seen around the place, and even the manner in which thefoul deed had been committed was a secret. 

A score of possibilities presented themselves to his mind when he leftMargaret Langmore and Raymond Case to begin the task he had set beforehimself--to clear the fair name of the beautiful girl who had placedher faith in him and his ability. 

"I'll take a look around the house first, " he reasoned. "Then I'llfind out a little more about these dead folks and their connections. "

Thinking that he must be some noted lawyer from New York, Mrs. Morsewas very gracious to him, and readily consented to show him around. 

"Here is the spot where Mrs. Langmore's body was found, " said thewoman, leading the way to a bend in the upper hallway. "The servantgirl tripped over it in her hurry, and went sprawling. She was aboutscared out of her wits. "

"Naturally enough. Do you know how the body was lying?"

"At full length, they say, face downward, and with the fists clenched. "

"Was that window open?"

"Yes, but not the blinds. "

"Where does that door lead to?"

"Mrs. Langmore's dressing room. The door was open when they foundher--as if she had come out and was trying to get downstairs. "

"Humph!" The detective pushed the blinds of the window open and beganto examine the carpet on the floor. 

"We've looked around, but we couldn't see a thing, " pursued the woman. 

"We? Who?"

"The coroner and the police officers. "

"Oh! You say the body was lying right here?"

"Yes--the head there, and the feet there. I suppose you are going totry to clear Miss Langmore, aren't you?" went on Mrs. Morse curiously. 

"I am--if she is innocent. "

"You'll have a task doing it. Everybody around here thinks her guilty. "

To this Adam Adams did not reply. He was down on his hands and knees, close to where the head of the murdered woman had rested. He placedhis nose to the carpet and drew in a long breath. His olfactory nerveswere sensitive, and detected a certain pungent, stinging odor, of asort not easily forgotten. 

"You must be pretty short-sighted, " was the woman's comment. The sightof the man on his hands and knees amused her. 

"Well, I might have a better pair of eyes, I admit. "

From his examination of the carpet, the detective turned to the window. Outside was the roof to the side piazza of the mansion. On the tinroof were some dried-up spots of mud. He looked them over carefully, and came to the conclusion that they were footprints, but how old was aquestion. 

"When did it rain last around here?" he asked. 

"We haven't had a real storm for ten days or two weeks. We have hadseveral showers, though. "

He took a glance into Mrs. Langmore's dressing room. Everything was inperfect order, even to the powder-box and the cologne bottles on thedresser. 

"That is all I wish to see up here, " he said, and passed below, wherehe encountered the policeman in charge. Like the woman, this officerhad taken him to be a lawyer, and he readily consented to let thedetective inspect the library. 

"Mr. Langmore was found in that chair, " said he. "He looked as if hehad suffered great pain before he died. I think he was strangled, although he didn't show the marks of it. "

The library was a richly-furnished apartment. Along two walls wererows of costly volumes, many relating to modern inventions. On thewalls hung some rare steel engravings, including one of Fulton and hisfirst steamboat. There was a large library table, with a student'slamp, a mahogany roller-top desk, half a dozen comfortable chairs, anda small, but well-built safe, which, as said before, was closed andlocked. 

"The coroner locked and sealed the desk, and put all the loose papersin it, " said the policeman. 

There were two windows to the library, and one was close to the sideporch, the roof of which the detective had examined from above. Aperson dropping from above could easily have entered the library by thewindow, thus saving himself the trouble of walking through the hallsand down the stairs. Adam Adams looked outside, and saw on the grounda number of footprints, some running to a gravel path but a few feetaway. 

"Where are the bodies?" he asked, as he continued his examination ofthe room. 

"At Camboin's morgue. The doctors have been looking for poison, butthey can't find any. "

The detective got down in front of the safe and examined it critically. Had it been opened after the murder and then closed again? That was animportant question, but he was unable to answer it. 

More by instinct than anything else, he got down and peered under thesafe. A crumpled-up bit of paper caught his eye, and he picked it upand slipped it into his pocket without the policeman being the wiser. 

"Has anybody else been here?" he asked. "I mean any outsiders. "

"A good many folks from the village. "

"Anybody else?"

"Yes, a detective from Brooklyn. He thought there might be a job forhim, but there wasn't, so he went away, " and the policeman smiledgrimly. 

"What was his name?"

"I think he said it was Peterson. "

"Is that the Bardon house yonder?" And Adam Adams pointed through thewindow and across the side lawn. 

"Yes. Doctor Bardon was the first to come over--he and his mother. "

"So I heard. I think I'll step over and speak to them a moment. "

"So you are working for Miss Langmore?"

"Yes, in a way. "

"You'll have an uphill job clearing her. The coroner thinks he has aclear case against her. "

"Do you know what evidence he possesses?"

"Not exactly. He isn't telling all he knows, " returned the officer ofthe law. "There is the doctor now. "

A buggy was coming down the road. It turned in at the next house, anda young man, carrying a small case, leaped out and disappeared into thedwelling. 

In a few minutes more, Adam Adams made his way next door. An elderlyservant admitted him and ushered him into the doctor's office, wherethe young physician sat marking down some calls in his notebook. 

"This is Doctor Bardon, I believe. I just came over from the Langmorehouse. I am working on this mystery, and I understand you were thephysician who tried to bring Mr. And Mrs. Langmore to life after theywere found. "

"I worked over Mr. Langmore, yes, " was the young physician's answer. "I saw at once that it was impossible to do anything for his wife. Shehad a weak heart naturally, and was stone dead some time before I gotthere. "

"You thought you saw a spark of life in Mr. Langmore?"

"Not exactly a spark, but I thought there might be hope. But I wasmistaken, although I did everything I could. "

"I have been told that working over the corpse made you sick. "

At these words, the face of the young physician showed his annoyance. He drew himself up. 

"Excuse me, but you are--" and he paused inquiringly. 

"I am working on this case in the interests of Miss Langmore. My nameis Adams. "

"Oh!"

"What I would like to know is, What made you sick? Was it merely thata crime had been committed--something you were not accustomed to?"

"No, it was not, Mr. Adams. I am young, I know, but I have had a goodhospital experience, and such things do not unnerve me. To be sure, Mr. Langmore was a good neighbor, and I thought much of him. But itwas not that. "

"Then what was it?"

"It was something about the corpse. As I worked I had tosneeze--something seemed to get into my nose and throat, and in aminute more I began to have cramps and grew deathly sick. It was thequeerest sensation I ever experienced in my life. I haven't gottenover it yet. "

"You had to go out to get some fresh air?"

"I did. If I had not, I think I should have suffered much more. "

"And you found no trace of any poison, or anything of that sort?"

"Not the slightest. Another doctor was called in, and then I wentback. The peculiar odor, or whatever it was, was gone, and I couldfind no further trace of it. "

"You think it must have evaporated?"

"What else is there to think? The windows and blinds had been thrownwide open, and the sun was shining into the room. "

This was all the young doctor could tell, and as he was in a hurry toget away on more business, the detective did not detain him further. He ascertained that Mrs. Bardon was also away, and then left the house. 

In his pocket he still carried the bit of paper which he had picked upfrom under the safe. It had evidently been part of the wrapper aroundsome small object, and bore the following, printed in blue ink:

 nder & Co. , ley Street, ter, N. Y. Ark. 

The paper might be valuable, and it might be worthless. It hadevidently been around a small box or bottle. The address was evidentlythat of some firm doing business in some town in New York State. Whatthe "ark" could stand for, he could not surmise. 

As the detective left the Bardon house, he saw a middle-aged manentering the Langmore mansion. The man was well dressed and carried adress-suit case. 

"A visitor of some sort, " he mused. "Perhaps a relative. "

When he stepped up on the piazza Raymond Case came out to meet him. The young man wished to know if he had learned anything from the doctor. 

"Not a great deal, " answered Adam Adams. "Who was that man who justcame in?"

"Thomas Ostrello, one of Mrs. Langmore's sons by her first husband. "

"Is he a frequent visitor here?"

"I believe not. He is a commercial traveler, and on the road nearlyall the time. "

"Has he been here since the tragedy?"

"No. He was here the day before it occurred, but went away in theevening. I suppose his mother's death has shocked him a good deal. "

"I believe you said the Ostrellos are not well off?"

"No; they are poor, so Margaret told me. Both of the sons are on theroad, one for a paint house and this one for a drug house. By the way, I am going to town, to see the coroner. Do you want to come along?"

"No, I'll see him later. I want to take a walk around this placefirst. I may pick up a stray clue. "

Left to himself, Adam Adams walked slowly around the mansion, notingthe several approaches. He looked in at the stable and the automobileshed, and strolled down to the brook. He made no noise, for it was hispractice to move about as silently as possible and without attractingattention. 

Suddenly he halted and stepped out of sight behind some bushes not faraway from the brook. He heard a splashing, which told him thatsomebody was near. 

CHAPTER V

THE MAN AT THE BROOK

Beside the brook stood a shabbily-dressed man, apparently fifty-five orsixty years old. He wore an old rusty black coat and a soft hat with ahole in it. His face was tanned and partly covered with a beard. 

The man was acting in a manner to excite anybody's curiosity. Hecarried a stick in his hand, and was poking around in the water withit. Every once in a while he looked around, to see if anybody wasobserving him. 

Straining his eyes, Adam Adams saw a strip of white floating on thewater. Once or twice it disappeared. Finally the end of the stripcaught on an overhanging bush, and then the strange man withdrew hiscane from the brook. 

As he turned around the detective dodged out of sight. Apparentlysatisfied that he was not observed, the strange man leaned down at thebank of the brook, took something from his pocket and placed it down onthe moist dirt. Then he took another object from his pocket andrepeated the operation. 

"Can they be shoes he has in his hands?" mused the detective. "And ifthey are, what is he doing with them?"

Hearing the slamming of a door at the mansion, Adam Adams drew stillfurther back among the bushes. A minute later he saw the man make along leap, clear the brook, and hurry away among the trees andbrushwood on the other side. 

"Humph! Perhaps this is worth investigating, " mused the detective, andmade his way to the spot the strange individual had occupied. On thebank of the brook he saw the marks of the man's broad shoes and alsosome prints made by smaller shoes. The latter prints were irregular, and at once arrested the detective's attention. He smiled grimly tohimself. 

"Clue number one!" he muttered. 

Adam Adams looked around in the water. Soon he came upon the strip ofwhite, and, pulling on it, brought to light a white silk shirtwaist, torn to ribbons in front and at one sleeve. He wrung the water and mudfrom the garment and examined it. Inside of the collar band were theinitials, "M. A. L. "

"Margaret A. Langmore, " he murmured. "Those initials are hers. If theshirtwaist was hers, how did that fellow get possession of it? And didhe place it here or find it here?"

Drying the garment as much as possible, he placed it in his pocket, andcontinued his search around the vicinity. He spent fully an hour inthe locality, and then walked back the way he had come, and into themansion. There he found Thomas Ostrello In conversation with thepoliceman. 

"It is a terrible blow to me, " the commercial traveler was saying. "And to think I was here just the day before it happened! If I hadremained here over night, it might not have occurred at all!"

"Well, that's the way things happen, " answered the policeman. "Once Iwas at one end of my beat when a thief broke into a store at the otherend and stole sixteen dollars and two hams. "

"And I suppose they blamed you for it. "

"Sure they did. I was laid off for a week, without pay. If anythinghappens it is always the poor copper who is to blame. "

"Well, the family are not blaming you for this. "

"They can't--especially as they've got the person who did the deed. "

At this Thomas Ostrello shrugged his shoulders. 

"I don't know about that. "

"You don't?"

"No. I'd hate to believe any girl could do such a fearful thing asthis. " The commercial traveler paused. "I'm going to take a lookaround. I suppose it's all right. "

"Certainly, Mr. Ostrello, " answered the policeman, and then thecommercial man stepped into the library, closing the door after him. 

Adam Adams had passed into the dining room, just back of the library, but had heard what was said. Now, looking through the doorway, whichhad a sliding door and a heavy curtain, the latter partly drawn, he sawthe man glance around hurriedly, moving from one object to another inthe library. He looked under the table and the chairs, in the corners, and even into the various bookcases. Then he came and knelt downbefore the safe, and tried the knob of the combination half a dozentimes. 

"He is more than ordinarily interested, " reasoned the detective. "Butthen it was his own mother who was murdered. "

The commercial man continued his search until he had covered everyobject in the room several times. He even looked behind the pictures, and into the drawer of the table, something which had escaped thecoroner's eye when sealing up the desk. Adam Adams saw him shake hishead in despair. He took a turn up and down the apartment and clenchedhis hands nervously. 

"Gone!" he muttered to himself. "What could have become of it?"

He drew from his pocket a notebook he carried, and studied severalitems carefully. A long sigh escaped from his lips as he restored thenotebook to his pocket. 

As the commercial traveler moved toward the dining room, the detectivestepped into a side apartment, used in the winter as a conservatory. He saw Thomas Ostrello make an examination of several places, includinga sideboard. Then the woman who had been placed in charge of thedownstairs portion of the mansion entered. 

"Won't you have a bite to eat, Mr. Ostrello?" she asked. 

"Perhaps so, later on. I do not feel like eating now. Can I take alook at my mother's room?"

"Why, yes. I suppose you know where it is?"

"Certainly; I often visited her there when she was not feeling well, "

He passed out without another word, and was soon mounting theheavily-carpeted stairs. Once in the room, he closed the door tightly. Coming up softly after him, Adam Adams tried the door and found itlocked. More interested than ever, the detective, just avoiding Mrs. Morse, who was passing through the hallway, slipped Into the adjoiningroom, and finding, as he had imagined, a door between the two, appliedhis eye to the keyhole. 

This might mean nothing, and it might mean everything. He saw Mrs. Langmore's son moving around the dressing room precisely as he hadmoved around the library. He heard the bureau drawers opened and shut, and then heard the squeak of a small writing desk that stood in acorner, as the leaf was turned down. Then came a rattle of papers anda sudden subdued exclamation. The desk was closed again, and the mancame out of the room, leaving the hall door partly open. 

"Whatever he was looking for, he must have found it, " reasoned thedetective. "Now, what was it?"

He waited in the hallway and heard Thomas Ostrello enter the diningroom. A minute later came the rattle of dishes. Then Mrs. Morseconfronted him. 

"Back again, I see, " she said rather sharply. 

"Yes; I wish to have another talk with Miss Langmore, " he returned, and, brushing her aside, knocked on the girl's door, and was admitted. The woman pursed up her lips. 

"How very important some of those city lawyers are, " she muttered. "Think they know it all, I guess. Well, he'll have a job clearing her, if what Coroner Busby says is true. "

"Oh, I did not know you were coming back!" exclaimed Margaret. "Hasanything happened?"

"I want to know something about this, Miss Langmore, " and he broughtout the torn and wet shirtwaist. "Is it yours?"

"Oh, certainly; but where did it come from? And it is all torn, too!It was almost new when I had it on last!"

"When was that?"

The girl thought for a moment, and then turned pale. 

"On the morning that--that--"

"That the tragedy occurred?"

"Yes. I don't know what made me put it on, but I did. "

"And when did you take it off?"

"Why, let me see. Some time in the afternoon, I think. I--I fainted, and it got dirty, and so I put on another and threw this in the clothescloset. "

"Are you certain you put it in the clothes closet?"

"Positive. Where did you find it?"

"Never mind that just now. Do you keep your shoes in that closet?"

"I do. But why--"

"Will you kindly see if all of your shoes are there?"

The girl ran over, opened the closet door, and began an immediateexamination. 

"One pair is missing--a pair I use a great deal, too, " she said aminute later. "Oh, Mr. Adams, what does this mean?"

"I don't know--yet. While you are at it, you might let me know ifanything else is missing. "

Margaret began a close examination of everything in the closet, thedetective watching her as keenly as he had before. 

"She is either innocent, or else the greatest actress I've ever met, "was his mental conclusion. "I think her innocent, but the best of usget tripped up at times. If she is innocent, that evidence wasmanufactured to prove her guilty. If only I had followed that man up!I might have learned something worth knowing. "

"Nothing else seems to be missing, " announced the girl, at length. 

"Very well; then don't waste time by searching further. By the way, did you know Mr. Thomas Ostrello had arrived?"

"Yes; I told Raymond to telegraph for him. He used to call quite oftento see his mother. "

"What about the other son--Dick?"

"I do not know where he is. "

"Didn't he come here?"

"He came once. But he is a dissipated young man, and I do not think mystepmother cared much for him. "

"But she did think a good deal of the one who is now downstairs?"

"Yes, although they occasionally had their quarrels, just as we hadours. Tom would plead for his brother Dick, who seemed to be alwayswanting money. Once my father took a hand and said his wife shouldn'tgive Dick a cent more, as he only squandered it. That made Tom angry, and he had a quarrel with my father, and after that when Tom came hewould ask to see only his mother, although he and I remained on fairlygood terms. "

"Tom was here the day before the tragedy?"

"Yes. I think he came to see his mother about some private business. They had a long talk in her room, and she seemed to be quite excitedwhen he went away. I don't know what it was all about. But, Mr. Adams, are you not hungry, and won't you have a lunch?"

"Thanks, I'll take a bite. "

The lunch was served in Margaret's apartment, and the detective didample Justice to it, for he never allowed business to interfere withhis appetite. As he ate, the girl watched him curiously. 

"Mr. Adams, " she said presently, "do you know, you do not seem a bitlike a detective to me--I mean like the detectives you read about--themen going about in wonderful disguises and the like, and doingmarvelous things? And yet, I know you have a wonderfulreputation--Raymond told me about it. "

At that he smiled broadly. "Wonderful disguises, eh? Well, I use themwhen I think them necessary, and not otherwise. When I started out, years ago, I used a great many more than I do now. To me a mystery ofthis sort is a good deal like a cut-up picture that you give a child toput together. First, you want to make sure you have all the pieces, and then you want to sit down, put on your thinking-cap, and match thepieces together. To you this is an awful tragedy, " his tone softenedgreatly, "to me it is another case, nothing more. Work such as I havedone is bound to harden a fellow, in spite of all of his finerfeelings. But I feel for you and you have my sympathy. "

"And you will aid me? You said you would, " she pleaded. 

"I am going to do what I can--no man can do more. "

CHAPTER VI

THE MYSTERY DEEPENS

From the Langmore mansion Adam Adams went to town, and at the morguemade a careful inspection of the pair who had been the victims of thetragedy. This critical examination brought nothing new to light, andhe turned away from the place with something of disappointment. 

"I'll take a look around that brook again, and see if that strange manis anywhere in sight, " he told himself, and got back to the vicinitywithout delay. 

Fortune favored him for once, for scarcely had he reached the back ofthe Langmore mansion when he saw the stranger leap the brook again andcome up towards the house. 

"Just in time, " murmured the detective. "He shall not slip me again ina hurry. "

The stranger was very much on his guard, and Adam Adams had all hecould do to keep out of his sight. It was now growing dark, especiallyunder the trees which surrounded the mansion. 

At length the fellow gained a point almost under one of the librarywindows. He gazed around sharply, and then appeared to be searchingfor something on the ground. The detective saw him start to picksomething up, but at that moment the side door of the mansion openedand the policeman came out. 

"Hullo! What are you doing here?" demanded the officer. 

"Oh, that's all right, " was the low answer. "Don't mind me. "

"But what are you doing here?"

"Just looking around, that's all. "

"You haven't any right in this yard. "

"I think I have. "

"Who are you?"

"My name is Watkins--Jack Watkins, " and then some words followed whichAdam Adams did not catch. 

"Oh, then I suppose that makes a difference, " came from the policemanin a more humble tone. "Do you want to come in the house and see MissLangmore?"

"No, I don't want to see the girl. But I'll come into the house, "answered the strange man, and walked up the piazza steps and into themansion, with the policeman by his side. 

As soon as the fellow was ought of sight, Adam Adams drew closer andlooked under the bushes where the other had been searching. 

At first he saw nothing, but then his keen eye detected a bit of paper, caught at the foot of some shrubbery. 

"More documentary evidence, perhaps, " he murmured, as he shoved thepaper into his pocket. "I wonder if this connects with the piece Ifound under the safe?"

He approached the window, the blinds of which were closed, and peeredthrough the slats. A light had been lit, and the policeman and thestranger had just entered the room. 

"I don't think you'll find much to interest you, " said the officer. "All of the others have hunted around, and they didn't find much. "

The stranger walked around the apartment slowly, and then sank into anarmchair. 

"Sit down and have a smoke with me, " he said, pulling out his cigarcase. "You've got a long night before you. "

"I am not going to stay up all night. The women folks and me are goingto take turns. They should have sent another man here, but the Chiefcouldn't spare him, two of the men being sick. "

Cigars were lit, and the pair smoked away for several minutes, talkingof the case in all of its details. Evidently the stranger agreed withthe general public regarding Margaret Langmore's guilt. 

"Of course she'll put on a good front, " said he, blowing a ring ofsmoke into the air. "She's that sort--so I've heard. What does herstepbrother say about it?"

"Not much, now. At first he didn't think her guilty, but after hetalked with me and the women folks, he changed his mind, I reckon. It's a blow to him, for he thought a good deal of the old lady. "

"Mr. Sudley!" came a call from the hallway. "Mr. Sudley, where areyou?"

It was one of the women who was calling, and, laying down his cigar, the policeman left the library to see what she wanted. 

The door had scarcely closed on the officer when the demeanor of theother man changed. He arose, looked into the dining room, and listenedat the hall doorway for a second. Then he recrossed the apartment andknelt before the safe. Adam Adams heard him mutter something tohimself as he twirled around the knob of the combination. Twice hetried the door and failed to open it, but the third effort wassuccessful. But before he could do more than glance into the strongbox, there was a noise in the hallway. Instantly he shut the dooragain, dropped into his chair, and resumed his smoking. 

"Women folks are a regular nuisance, " was the policeman's comment, oncoming back. "Want you to do this and then that--keep you on the goall the time. I'm tired of it. "

"Take my advice, and don't marry, " was the rejoinder, with a laugh. 

"Too late--I've got a wife and five children already. But I've got togo to the barn. Will you come along?"

"Why--er--I suppose so. " The stranger hesitated. "I'll have to begoing pretty soon. Going to stay in this room all night?"

"No; I'm going to lock up and go upstairs. "

"That's right; nothing like resting on a good bed. I don't think thegirl will try to run away, "

"She can't--we're watching her too closely. "

The pair left the library. Scarcely had they gone when Adam Adamsopened one of the blinds, made a quick leap, and came inside. 

"That fellow will bear watching, no matter who he claims to be, " thedetective told himself. "But there is no use of following him now, forhe will be back sooner or later. He did not open this safe fornothing. "

With the policeman and the stranger gone, the lower portion of themansion appeared deserted. Adam Adams looked to make sure that he wasnot observed, and then went to the safe. As he had anticipated, thedoor now came open with ease. 

The detective felt that he was in a ticklish position. Had he a rightto examine the contents of this strong box? If discovered by any one, what would be the outcome? Even the fact that he was in a wayconnected with the law might not clear him. 

But he felt he must take some risks. He knew the sentiment againstMargaret Langmore, and knew that sentiment in a country place is almostequal to a conviction. The coroner had convinced himself that the girlwas guilty, and would go to any extremity to prove the correctness ofhis theory. 

The safe was divided into several compartments, and on one side was aset of three metallic drawers. The open side contained several accountbooks and legal and patent papers. The top drawer contained some oldjewelry and a gold watch, the middle drawer some bank bills, not over ahundred dollars, all told. 

The bottom drawer was locked, but the key for it lay in the middledrawer, so Adam Adams opened the receptacle with ease. As he did so, acry of astonishment came to his lips, and he repressed it withdifficulty, The drawer was packed with new and crisp one-hundred-dollar bills, allon the same bank, the Excelsior National, of New York City. There werethirty of the bills, and evidently not one of them had been incirculation. The detective started as he took them up, held them tothe somewhat dim light, and started again. He paused for a moment, asif deciding a weighty question. Then he placed the package of bankbills in the inner pocket of his coat. 

"These have no right to be here, " he muttered. "The only place forthem is in the hands of the federal authorities. "

Under the bills lay several legal documents. One was labeled:

"Mortgage of Matlock Styles to Barry S. Langmore, $8, 000. "

There were likewise two other mortgages between the same parties, onefor $3, 000 and the other for $5, 000. 

"Whoever Matlock Styles is, he evidently owes the Langmore estatesixteen thousand dollars, " the detective told himself; "that is, if theobligations have not been cancelled. I wonder what the mortgages weredoing in with those bills?"

"Mr. Adams!"

A soft call from the window made the detective turn swiftly. To hissurprise, he saw Raymond Case peering at him through the blinds. Theyoung man's face showed his perplexity. 

"What brought you?" asked the detective. He did not relish beingcaught off his guard. 

"I couldn't think of going to bed at the hotel, I was so upset. Ithought, if I came over here, I might discover something of value, orhelp you in some way. I see you've managed to get that safe open. Itwas certainly a clever piece of work. "

"As it happens opening the safe was not my work, " was the answer. "Another man opened it and I took the liberty of looking inside. But Ican't talk about that here. Wait a minute and I'll join you outside. "

Adam Adams swung the door of the safe open once more. As he surmised, the combination could be set to a new series of numbers with ease. Hefixed it to correspond with the numbers of his own office safe, thenclosed the door, gave the knob a twirl, and hurried from the room bythe same opening by which he had entered. 

"When I first came up I thought somebody was robbing the safe, " saidRaymond Case, when the pair were at a distance from the house. 

"What did you see me do?"

"Take out a package of bankbills and put them into your pocket. Oh, Iknow it must be all right, Mr. Adams. But it looked queer. "

"I took them for safe keeping. Look at them for a moment. I'll strikea match behind this clump of trees. Count them over, too. It may beas well to have a witness for this. "

Raymond Case took the crisp bills and did as requested. 

"Three thousand dollars, " he said. "All brand new bills and each fora hundred dollars. "

"Exactly, and each on the same bank. "

"So they are. That's rather odd; isn't it?"

"And all of the same serial number. "

"Gracious! Mr. Adams--"

"Wait. Mr. Case, I am going to trust you even as you have trusted me. I want you to keep this a secret. "

"Certainly, but--"

"The bills are counterfeit. "

CHAPTER VII

ONE OF THE PROFESSION

"Counterfeit bank bills!" gasped the young man. "And in Mr. Langmore'spossession! Taken from his safe! What does it mean?"

"That remains to be found out. "

"This is--is astounding! You don't suspect that he was in the habit--Imean that he--" Raymond Case did not know how to go on. 

"It's too early to form a conclusion. But one thing is certain, thecounterfeits were in his private safe, and from all accounts that safehad not been opened since his death. Consequently he must have placedthem there. "

"I don't believe he dealt in counterfeits, " returned the young manbluntly. 

"Facts are stubborn things to overcome. Down in the town I learnedthat Mr. Langmore used to be a comparatively poor man. All his wealthhas come to him in the past six years. "

"He made his money out of his patents and out of various other schemes. "

"All of his wealth has come to him in the past six years, " pursued thedetective. "I happen to know something about these counterfeits, whichthe federal authorities have been trying to trace to their source. Thefirst of these bogus one hundred dollar bills appeared about six yearsago, at a bank in Brooklyn. "

The heart of the young man sank within him, and as he spoke his lipsbegan to quiver. 

"Mr. Adams, are you going to give this news to the world at large--tothe United States authorities--are you going to brand Margaret's fatheras a counterfeiter, or a passer of queer money? If you do that, evenif you clear Margaret, you'll break her heart. "

"I am going to do nothing at present but keep on investigating. Wehave not yet reached the end of this string by any means. Did I nottell you that another opened the safe?--a fellow who has been actingqueerly ever since I caught sight of him? He is connected with thiscomplicated affair, although how still remains to be seen. "

"Who was the man?"

"He gave his name to the policeman as Jack Watkins. "

"I never heard that name before. How does he look?"

Adam Adams described the fellow minutely, but Raymond Case shook hishead. 

"I can't place him. But that is not strange, " he added. "I know veryfew folks in this neighborhood. "

"Do you know a man named Matlock Styles. "

"Not very well--I met him once, when he was calling on Mr. Langmore onbusiness. He is an Englishman, fairly well to do, who lives in an oldcolonial house on the Harper road, a mile and a half, I should say, from here. "

"Do you know what business this Styles had with Mr. Langmore?"

"I don't remember very well--but hold up, yes, I do. He owed Mr. Langmore some money. The two put through some sort of real estatedeal. "

"How much did Styles owe Mr. Langmore?"

"I don't know exactly, but it was a large amount, fifteen or twentythousand dollars. "

"What sort of a man would you take this Styles to he?"

"Oh, he is a big, overbearing Englishman, one of the kind withmutton-chop whiskers and a red nose. He is a great chap for fasthorses, and I've heard he has quite a stable of them over to his place. He is also a dog fancier. "

"Has he been here lately?"

"I don't know. Perhaps Margaret could tell you. But what has this todo--"

"Nothing at all, perhaps. In the safe with the bankbills were somemortgage papers given to Mr. Langmore by this Matlock Styles. But thetwo may not have the least connection with each other. "

The two had been walking away from the house and now the detectiveturned back. As he did so he thought of the bit of paper he had pickedup in the shrubbery. He struck a match with one hand and held up theslip with the other. It was a memorandum, running as follows:

 $8, 000 5, 000 3, 000 $16, 000 ------- . 03% ------- $480. 00

Adam Adams studied the memorandum with interest. The amounts at thetop were those of the mortgages given by Matlock Styles to BarryLangmore. Evidently somebody had figured out what the interest wouldbe at three per cent. 

"What is that?" asked Raymond Case. 

"A bit of paper I picked up around here. It doesn't seem to amount toanything. But I think we had better part now, Mr. Case. If I haveanything to report I'll see you to-morrow at the Beechwood Hotel. "

The pair separated, and Adam Adams watched the young man disappear downthe road, the latter feeling that he ought not to interfere with thework of the man he had engaged to unravel the mystery. In deep thoughtthe detective went back to the neighborhood of the mansion andstationed himself where he could get a look at the library windows. 

Adam Adams felt that the case was growing deeper and deeper. Thefinding of the counterfeit banknotes In Barry Langmore's safe wasastonishing. Where this thread of the skein would lead to he could notimagine. 

"I seem to be uncovering more than I bargained for, " he mused. "If theman was innocent of all wrong-doing why didn't he turn those bills overto the authorities? Were he alive we should certainly say he wascaught with the goods. If this comes out it will create as much of asensation as the murder itself. "

Two hours went by and still the detective kept to his post. He wasused to waiting--had he not waited in the bitter cold six hours toclear that poor Jew?--and he knew that sooner or later the man callinghimself Jack Watkins would reappear. 

A light flared up in the library and then was turned lower. He creptto the window and looked in as before. The strange man was at thesafe, working the combination knob backward and forward. 

In spite of the seriousness of the situation, Adam Adams was forced tosmile. The man worked hurriedly and tried the combination a score oftimes. He muttered something under his breath which may well beomitted from these printed pages. He even got into a heavyperspiration and had to pause to wipe his forehead with hishandkerchief. 

"Hang the luck!" he went on. "I had it open before. What's got intothe confounded combination?"

Again he tried to work the figures. But it was all of no avail, and atlast he arose, fists clenched, and with a face full of baffled anger. He stalked around the library, gazed at the strong box several times, and then quit the apartment. 

Waiting once more, the detective presently saw the man come from thehouse and walk toward the road. Following, he saw the fellow hurrypast the Bardon home and then into a patch of timber. Here he had ahorse, and in a moment more would have been in the saddle had not AdamAdams caught him by the arm. 

"Hi! what's this, a hold-up?" cried the man, evidently frightened. "Let go of me!" And he tried to pull away and then attempted to draw arevolver from a hip pocket. 

"Stop! I am not going to hurt you, " was the calm reply from thedetective. "I want to talk to you, that's all. "

"Really?" came with a sneer. "A fine time of night to hold a man up. Be quick, for I am in a hurry. "

"I want you to explain several things to me, " went on Adam Adams calmly. 

"Explain? To you?"

"That is what I said. You can take your choice. Either explain orconsider yourself under arrest. "

"Eh? Say, are you crazy?"

"Not at all. "

"An officer of the law, I suppose. "

"I am--in a way. "

"Working on this Langmore affair?"

"Yes. "

"Have you been following me?"

"I've done more than that--I've been watching you. "

"What! How long?"

"Quite a long while. I saw you in the library, twice, and down to thebrook. "

The man started and was evidently much put out. Then he forced a smileto his face. 

"Much obliged for playing the spy, " he murmured. 

"Down at the brook you had a pair of Miss Langmore's shoes. What wereyou doing with them?"

"Did you see me with the shoes?"

"I did, and I saw you with the silk shirtwaist. "

"Ah! Anything else?"

"I saw you at the safe in the library of the mansion. "

"When, now?"

"Now and some hours ago. You may as well make a clean breast of it. "

"I will, If you will tell me who you are. "

"I am Adam Adams, of New York City. "

The strange man let out a hissing sound between his teeth. Then of asudden he gave a wild, unnatural laugh. 

"Shake hands, Mr. Adams, " he said, putting out his hand. "I know youby reputation even if not personally. You see, your reputation is somuch larger than my own. " He laughed again, a sound which grated onthe detective's nerves. "I am John S. Watkins, of Bryport. I amconnected with the United States secret service. "

CHAPTER VIII

WHAT CEPHAS CARBOY SAW

There was a brief pause after the man from Bryport made hisannouncement. Adam Adams tried hard to see his face clearly, but inthe gloom this was impossible. 

"Perhaps you do not believe me, " said John Watkins. "I can easilyprove what I say. "

"Why shouldn't I believe you?"

"Because you were on the point of arresting me, which proves that youtook me to be--something else. "

"How long have you been connected with the secret service?"

"About three years. That is why I know you so well. "

"Did your work as a secret service man bring you to this place?"

"Excuse me, but that is my business. If you are working on this case, well and good. But it is not fair to try to steal any of my thunder. "

"So far as I am concerned you shall get full credit for what you may doon this case, Mr. Watkins, " said Adam Adams stiffly. "But I shouldlike to understand several points. "

"About the shoes and the shirtwaist, I suppose. I got the shoes fromthe house to make certain that some footprints on the bank of the brookhad been made by Miss Langmore. "

"What about the shirtwaist?"

"It was there when I came, and I left it there, as it did not seem tohave much of a connection with the affair. "

"Do you think you had a right to tamper with the safe in the library?"

"Considering certain circumstances, which I do not intend just now todisclose to you, I think I had a right. "

"Did you take anything from the safe?"

"Not a thing. In fact, I couldn't get the safe open. You must knowthis, if you saw me a while ago. "

"You opened the door the first time. "

"I do not deny it. The policeman interrupted me and I shut the box up. When I came back the combination had gotten away from me. "

There was a pause. 

"Where are you stopping, Mr. Watkins, in case I wish to communicatewith you again?"

"At Hager's Hotel, in Sidham. But I am on the jump nearly all thetime, " and the secret service man laughed again. "Anything else?"

"No. "

"Then I'll be going. I've got to send a long secret message before Igo to bed and it takes time to follow the code, you know that. Good-night, " and in a moment more John Watkins was on his horse andriding away at a good rate of speed. 

Adam Adams watched his departure with a variety of thoughts chasingeach other through his mind. The man must be what he claimed, he hadshown his badge on the inside of his coat, and been perfectly willingto prove his words. 

"If he is honest, he must be on the trail of those counterfeits, andperhaps it was my duty to tell him of my discovery, " mused thedetective. "It is curious how these two cases have wound around eachother, or is it all one case?"

Concluding that there was nothing more to be done that night, AdamAdams took himself to the Beechwood Hotel, secured a room, and was soonin the land of dreams. He arose early, obtained his breakfast, andwithout waiting to meet Raymond Case, started off to interview DoctorBird, one of the two persons Margaret Langmore had seen go past themansion about the time the tragedy was occurring. 

He found the doctor an individual with an exaggerated idea of his ownimportance. It was hard to bind him down to tell what he actually knewand it took the detective the best part of an hour to learn that thephysician knew nothing of real importance. 

A short while later Adam Adams learned that the farmer who had beenseen going past the mansion was named Cephas Carboy. He was a strangeindividual, of no education, who lived on a hillside road, running somedistance to the rear of the Langmore house. When the detective arrivedthere he found Carboy sitting under a tree smoking a short clay pipe. The farm was a neglected one, the house about ready to tumble down, andin the dooryard were half a dozen dirty and ragged children, whoscampered out of sight on the approach of a stranger. 

"Good morning, " said Adam Adams cheerfully. He saw at a glance thatthe fellow before him was a thoroughly shiftless character. 

"Mornin' to you, " was the short response. 

"This is Mr. Cephas Carboy?"

"Cephas Carboy's my name--ain't much of a mister to it, " and the mangrinned feebly. 

"You're the man I want to see, Carboy, " and the detective took a seaton a log close by. 

"Want to see me? What fer? I don't know you. "

"I want to see you about that Langmore murder. "

The shiftless man stared and withdrew his pipe from his mouth withtrembling fingers. 

"I didn't have nuthin' to do with that. They can't pitch it onto menohow! I came past the house, that's all I did. I didn't go insidethe gate, I didn't. It was Miss Langmore did that murder--or else MaryBillings. "

"Did you see anybody round the place when you went past?"

"Not a soul. "

"What were you doing around there?"

"Are you an--an officer?"

"Perhaps I am. Anyway, you had best answer my questions. "

"I went down to Hopgood's place, to sell some fish I had caught--Mr. Hopgood can prove it. Then I came straight home. "

"Which way did you go to get to Hopgood's?"

"Took the road yonder, around the hill, and crossed the brook atPeabody's bridge--Peabody can prove that, too. He was out in thehayfield and saw me. "

Adam Adams took a look at the road mentioned. At a turn there was acleared spot through the woods and a fair sight could be caught of therear of the Langmore mansion and of the automobile shed. 

"Come here, " he called to Cephas Carboy, and when the shiftless man hadshuffled up, he continued: "You say you walked this way. When you gotto this spot did you happen to look over to the Langmore house?"

"I--er--I did. "

"What did you see? Come now, tell me the exact truth, " and Adam Adamsput as much of sternness as possible in his tone. 

"I saw--See here, I don't want to get in no trouble, I don't. I'm apeaceful man, an' I tend to my own business, I do. You ain't a-goin'to drag me into court. "

"I don't want to get you into trouble, Carboy--but I must know thetruth of this. I take it that you are poor. Am I right?"

"Humph! Do I look like I was rollin' in wealth?"

"Then a five dollar bill means something to you, eh?"

The shiftless man opened his eyes widely. 

"Does it? Say, I ain't had a fiver in my fist fer a month, two months!Farmin' don't pay, an' it ain't easy to git work outside, the season'sbeen that poor. If you--"

"Tell me all you know, and perhaps I'll give you five dollars. "

"Ain't foolin'?"

"No. There's a dollar on account, " and the detective passed over thebill. The shiftless man clutched it eagerly, looked at it to makecertain that it was real money, and rammed it into the pocket of hisgreasy vest. 

"Thanks, sir, " he murmured. Then he ran his hand through his somewhatmatted hair. "Mind now, I can't give you this fer dead certain, " hecommenced. 

"What do you mean by that?"

"I think it happened, but I can't swear to it. That house is putty faroff, remember. "

"What do you think you saw?"

"I saw a man run across the garden. He had a satchel in his hand andhe was in a hurry. He slipped and fell and his hat rolled off. Thenhe got up, put on his hat, and I lost sight of him behind the bushes. "

"How did the man look?"

"Wait up, that ain't all. I'm certain of that part of it, but I ain'tso sure of the rest. I waited here a minit, because my wife wascalling to me to git some groceries when I came back. I just startedto fill my pipe when I looked over there again and I saw a man run fromthe automobile shed to the house. The bushes was in the way, but hangme if I don't think he went in by a winder instead of a door. "

"You are sure you saw him go toward the house?"

"Yes, that was plain enough, although he seemed to be sneakin' alongthe bushes. "

"Was it the same man?"

"It must have been, but I couldn't see his valise, because he wasbehind the bushes. "

"How did the man look?"

"He was a putty heavy fellow and he was dressed in a light gray suitand wore a soft hat to match. "

"Was the valise a light or a dark one?"

"Light. "

"Could you see anything else?"

"No. "

"Did the man have anything besides the valise?"

"Not that I could see. When he fell and his hat flew off I saw that hehad a head of heavy dark hair. "

"And you are certain about the suit being a light gray one and the softhat matched it?"

"Yes, I'm dead sure of that. "

"What time was this?"

"About half an hour before I passed the house. I stopped at Peabody'sto chat a while before I crossed his bridge. "

"Did you ever see the man before?"

"Not that I remember. "

"You didn't see him after that?"

"No. "

Adam Adams drew out a roll of bills and counted out four dollars, whichamount he passed over to the fellow he had been interviewing. 

"That makes the five I promised you, Carboy. Now then, will you do mea favor?"

"Certainly, sir, anything you want. "

"I merely want you to keep what you have told me to yourself for thepresent. "

"Oh, that's easy--unless somebuddy tries to git me into trouble. "

"I don't think that will happen--if you keep your mouth shut. "

"Then I'll be as mum as an oyster, " answered Cephas Carboy decidedly. 

"I may be along to see you again soon, " continued Adam Adams, and thenhe drove away in the buggy that had brought him to the vicinity. 

He allowed his horse to walk, for he was in a more thoughtful mood thanever. He was thinking of a man he had met the day before, in a suit ofgray and with a soft hat of the same color. The man had been TomOstrello. 

CHAPTER IX

ON THE TRAIN

"This is clearing itself by growing more complicated. "

Such was the deduction of the detective after he had reviewed thesituation carefully. Was it possible that the son of the woman who hadbeen murdered was guilty of the double tragedy? He remembered what hehad been told about Tom Ostrello and his wayward brother Dick, and howmother and son had had an exciting meeting on the day previous to thetragedy. 

"I rather think it will pay to investigate a little further along thisline, " thought Adam Adams. "More than likely he came here for money, either for himself or his brother Dick. If his mother did not have itand wanted it she would have to go to Mr. Langmore for it. That mightcause a bitterness all around. Or again, he might have thought that ifhis step-father were dead his mother would inherit his money and soplotted one murder, which, when he was discovered, ended in a second. It will do no harm to have a talk with this young man. "

He reached the Langmore mansion once more to find that Tom Ostrello haddeparted for the city on necessary business but was coming back beforenight. Then at the hotel he found a message from his own officecalling him to New York. 

"You are going away, Mr. Adams?" said Raymond Case, who chanced to seehim departing. 

"Not for long. I'll be back to-night or to-morrow. "

"Anything new?"

"Nothing worth talking about, yet. I must hurry to catch the train. What are you going to do?"

"I am waiting for the inquest. It will be a terrible trial forMargaret. " And the young man's face showed his concern. 

"Tell her for me to make the best of it, " answered Adam Adams andhurried to the depot. The train was just coming in and he saw TomOstrello get on board, and he entered the car directly behind thecommercial traveler. The young man passed through to the smoker andthe detective did the same. Two seats were vacant, directly across theaisle from each other and each took one. Presently Ostrello looked atAdam Adams and started slightly and then bowed. 

"Excuse me, but I think I saw you up to the Langmore house, " he began. 

"Yes, I called on Miss Langmore. I believe you are Mrs. Langmore'sson. "

"Yes. Come over, won't you?" Ostrello moved towards the window of thecar. "I've got to have a smoke to quiet my nerves, I'm so upset. Willyou have one?" And he presented a case full of choice Havana cigars. 

"It must have upset you--it's enough to upset anybody, " answered AdamAdams, as they lit up. "It's a fearful happening, fearful. "

"You are acting for Margaret, I heard. "

"Yes--if there is a chance to do anything. Do you know anything of thetragedy?"

"Not a thing, outside of what I have heard. When I got the telegram Iwas fairly stunned. But let me tell you one thing. "

"Well?"

"I don't think Margaret is guilty. A girl like her couldn't do such acold-blooded deed. Why, it's enough to make a man shiver to think ofit. It would take a hardened criminal to do such a thing. It's absurdto even suspect her. "

"What is your theory of the murders?"

"I hardly know what to think. If the house had been robbed I would saytramps did it. "

"But how?"

"I don't know, excepting the--er--both were smothered. But let uschange the subject. It breaks me all up to think about it. I thoughta whole lot of my mother. "

"Where is your brother?"

"I don't know exactly. He was in Los Angeles the last I heard of him. I have sent messages to half a dozen places, but so far have receivedno reply. "

"He is a commercial traveler like yourself?"

"He was, up to two weeks ago. Traveled for a paint house, but he andthe firm had a row and Dick quit. He's a rolling stone, and that iswhy I can't just locate him. "

"Do you represent a paint house, too?" questioned Adam Adams, after apause, during which he appeared to enjoy the really fragrant Havana TomOstrello had tended him. 

"No, I'm with a drug house and have been for four years, one of thebest in the country, Alexander & Company, of Rochester, New York. I amtheir salesman for New York and the Eastern States. We make some ofthe most noted preparations in the trade. "

"Alexander & Company, of Rochester, " mused Adam Adams, thinking of thebit of paper he had picked up from under the safe. "I believe I haveseen their place. Let me see, what street is it on?"

"Wadley street and runs through to Hill--a fine six-story concern, witha laboratory that is second to none. "

"Yes, I remember it now. I suppose you must have a pretty goodposition with them. "

"Fair. I think they ought to raise my salary, " answered Tom Ostrello. He stretched himself. "I feel sleepy--didn't get a wink last night. When this affair is over I am going to ask for a week's vacation. "

"I don't blame you, " answered Adam Adams, with a quiet smile. 

He settled back to smoke and his companion did the same, and thus theremainder of the trip to the city passed. As he smoked the detectiverevolved the new revelation in his mind. Tom Ostrello represented thevery drug firm whose advertisement had appeared, in part, on the bit ofpaper picked up from under the library safe. 

"And he was there hunting for something, " thought the detective. "Wasit for that bit of paper or for the something that he secured in hismother's room?"

At the depot the pair separated. Adam Adams lost no time in visitinghis office, where his assistant awaited him anxiously. "Well, Letty, how are you this morning?" he said pleasantly, as he dropped into hischair. 

He gave the girl a bright smile and she smiled in return. LettyBernard was an orphan, the daughter of one of his former friends, andhe took a fatherly interest in her. She lived with a second cousin, but wished to be independent and so the detective had given her theposition, in his office, a place she filled with credit. She was shortand plump and had a wealth of curly hair that strayed over her forehead. 

"The Chief asked me to give you these papers, " said the assistant. "You are to sign all three. "

"Um! Then that's the end of the Soper case. Anything else?"

"Glackey was in. He told me he had tracked the German and would reportin full by to-morrow. He thinks you were right and the German is theman. "

"What else?"

"A Mrs. Caven-Demuth was here. Wished to know if you ever found lostdogs. "

"Great Scott! Dogs!"

"She said her pet cocker-spaniel had disappeared and she was willing tospend five hundred dollars on finding him. "

"I am no dog detective. Send her to McMommie. " McMommie was, as it iseasy to guess, a rival. 

"I sent her to police headquarters. "

"And is that all?"

"Mr. Folett telegraphed that he would be here at ten. "

"It's after that now--it's nearly noon. You can go to lunch if youwish. There's the door-- Hullo, it's Mr. Folett now. Be back in anhour. "

"Yes, Uncle Adam, " answered the girl. She always called him uncle, since he had taken such an interest in her. She went out as the callerentered, and left the two men talking over a business matter which hasnothing to do with our story. 

It was two o'clock before Adam Adams found himself free once more. Heprocured a lunch and then took a subway train halfway uptown. Hewalked two blocks westward and ascended the steps of a fine brown-stoneresidence. He asked for Doctor Calkey and was ushered into a privateden, where the doctor, a tall, spare man of sixty, soon joined him. 

"My good friend Adams!" cried the doctor, shaking hands warmly. "Wherehave you kept yourself? Surely you have not been to see me for a year, or is it longer? I have missed you so much--and the comforting smokeswe had together? Why did you desert me? You knew I could not come toyou--that I never go out. And you do not bring any business to me--"

"I had none to bring, and I have been very busy. But I have missed ourmeetings, I must confess. "

"Ah, I am glad to learn I was not entirely forgotten. And you havebeen busy, and still nothing for Rudolph Calkey to do, nothing toanalyze, nothing to dissect--"

"I've got a knot now for you. "

"Good! good! I trust it is a good complication--I love them so--thereis such a satisfaction when the end is reached. But not yet--no, notyet. A glass of wine first--something prime--I imported it myself, sothat I would know what I am getting. "

The wine was soon forthcoming and then a cigar for the detective and apipe for the doctor. At last the latter threw himself into an old easychair and gazed at his caller expectantly. 

"I am ready to untie the knot, " he said. "What is it?"

CHAPTER X

AN AFFAIR OF THE HEART

There was a moment of silence. 

"Briefly put, doctor, the case is this, " said Adam Adams. "I want toknow if there is anything known to the medical world, a powder orsomething of that sort, strong enough to kill a person if he shouldbreathe of it. "

"A powder strong enough to kill a person?" The brow of the oldphysician contracted. "It would have to be very powerful to do that. You mean if a person was boxed up with it--like one killed by gas?"

"No, not at all. I mean a powder that could be held to a person's noseand mouth in the open, when it would make that person sick and give himcramps perhaps. "

"And kill him?"

"Yes. "

The old doctor rubbed his hands in thought. "That is a subject forspeculation. Certain cyanide compounds might be powerful enough to doso under certain conditions. Any real dry powder would choke a personif he got a big dose of it. I heard of a boy who came near dying asthe result of breathing in a quantity of extra dry licorice powder. But he was smothered and did not have cramps. "

"Nothing in the shape of any foreign compound? You once showed me aTurkish liquid that burnt when water was poured on it, and dyedeverything blood red. "

"Ah, yes, the _fozeska_, something truly dangerous. But I know ofnothing-- But hold!" The doctor clapped his hands together. "Yes!yes! That would do it, that and that only. "

"What?"

"I had a sample of it given to me some six months ago. It was called_yamlang-peholo_, and was made in China, from the roots of the_yamlang_ bush--a rare growth found only in the western part of thecountry. By many Chinamen the _yamlang_ bush is supposed to beaccursed, and whenever they come near one they utter a prayer fordeliverance from its evils. If you sleep near the _yamlang_ bush itwill make you very sick. "

"And that powder, what did it look like?"

"It was blue at first but on contact with the air quickly changed tobrownish-white and lost itself, it was so fine. "

"Evaporated?"

"You can call it that if you wish. It was intense. I held it at arms'length, yet it made me sick and I had cramps for over an hourafterwards. "

"It would have killed you if you had placed it to your mouth or nose?"

"Not the slightest doubt of it. "

"May I ask where you got the stuff?"

"It was imported into this country by a drug firm merely as acuriosity. They put it up in tiny vials which I suppose were sentaround to different persons like myself. It was a dangerous piece ofbusiness and I gave them no credit for doing it. "

"What was the name of the firm?"

"I would not tell everybody, but I know I can trust you to keep asecret. The firm was Alexander & Company, of Rochester, who stand veryhigh in the trade. I buy many things from them, from time to time, andtheir traveling man, a Mr. Ostrello, gave me the powder when he called. He told me how the firm had experimented on a dog and an ox. Both diedin less than two minutes, and each with cramps. But after deathneither animal showed the least trace of the poison. "

"Wasn't this Ostrello afraid to handle the stuff?"

"Not as much as I was. He said he was a bit used to it. I told him Ididn't want to get used to it. Have another glass of wine?"

"No, I prefer to smoke, thanks just the same. I am interested in this_yamlang_, as you call it. Where can I get the stuff?"

"No more of it can be had. I rather think they got afraid of it. Wait, I'll get the vial it was in. Perhaps there is a whiff left init. "

"Thanks, but do you think I want to die?" queried the detective, andgave a laugh. 

When the empty vial was produced he opened it and took a short sniff. Then he drew his breath in sharply. A faint odor was perceptible, thesame odor he had detected in the carpet on the upper hallway of theLangmore mansion. 

"Do you smell it?" questioned the physician. 

"Yes, but not very well. I don't think it will affect me much. "

"I trust not, my dear Adams. We cannot afford to lose you. Now, whatis it all about?"

"Another case, that's all. I don't feel like talking about it justyet. I'll give you the particulars some other time. "

"And have I helped you?"

"I think you have. "

"Of course there are other powders--and there is chloroform--"

"I think we have struck a clue in this. But I must be going. "

"What, so soon!" Rudolph Calkey looked hurt. "I was thinking you'dstay the day out. We could chat over old times--I'll order an extrasupper--"

"No, not to-day. When this case is settled, I'll come over and we'llmake an evening of it. " And then the detective had to fairly tearhimself from the doctor and the house. They were old friends and hadworked on many a case together. 

Once back in his office Adam Adams smiled grimly to himself. 

"Now, Mr. Tom Ostrello, it looks as if we had you good and hard, " hemurmured. "You were seen around the place at the time of the murder byCephas Carboy, you left the bit of paper in the library, you quarrelledat one time with Mr. Langmore and also quarrelled with your mother. The murder was committed by means of that deadly Chinese powder, andyou are one of the few persons in this country who knew of theheathenish compound. If you are innocent I rather reckon you have aheap of explanations to make. "

There were two callers who took an hour of the detective's time, andthen he prepared to return to Sidham, to learn if possible moreconcerning Tom Ostrello, and if anybody besides Cephas Carboy had seenhim around that vicinity on the morning of the tragedy. 

"Letty, I may not be back to-night, " he remarked, as he came out intothe general office. "And it may be that I'll not be back to-morrow. "

"All right, Uncle Adam. What shall I tell Mr. Capes?"

"Tell him that that bond matter must wait. He'll have to get thosenumbers if he possibly can. The other record was destroyed. "

As Adam Adams spoke he drew closer to the desk at which his assistantwas sitting. He glanced down at an envelope lying there, and startedslightly. 

"Where did this come from, Letty?" he questioned. The envelope waspostmarked New York and the upper left-hand corner bore the notice:

 Return in 10 days to Alexander & Company, Wholesale Druggists, 22-32 Wadley Street, Rochester, N. Y. 

The girl glanced at the envelope and then at her employer and blusheddeeply. 

"Oh, why that--that is a note from a friend of mine. "

"A gentleman friend, I suppose. "

"Yes, Uncle Adam. I met him last winter, at Mrs. Dally's reception. He is a traveling salesman for this house, " she pointed to the noticeon the envelope. "He wants me to go to the theatre with him, and Iexpect to go. Mrs. Dally says he is a very nice young man. We--wehave been out a number of times. " And the girl blushed again. 

"I know some parties connected with that firm. What's the young man'sname, Letty?"

"Mr. Tom Ostrello. "

"Indeed! And he has invited you to go to the theatre with him?"

"Yes. Then you know him, Uncle Adam? I didn't dream of that. Don'tyou think he is--is rather nice?"

"Evidently you think so. " For some reason the detective could scarcelysteady his voice. He was a bachelor, with only some distant relatives, and he thought a good deal of his proteg�e and her welfare. 

"I--I do, Uncle Adam. He treats me so nicely. I--I--don't you approveof him?" she went on hastily, searching his face for the smile thatusually rested there when he spoke to her. 

"Why, I--er--I don't know him so well as all that, Letty. " For thefirst time in his life he was visibly confused. "You say he has calledon you a number of times?"

"Yes, and he has taken me out, let me see, I guess it must be a dozentimes all told. I--I wanted to speak of this before, but I--well, Icouldn't bring it around. I hope you'll approve, Uncle Adam. "

"Approve? Of your going out with him?"

"Yes, and--and--" The girl hesitated again. Then she arose andburied her face on his shoulder. "Oh! don't you understand, UncleAdam?"

"Letty!"

"He is very nice--I know you'll like him when you get to really knowhim. Of course he hasn't much money, but I don't care for that. Youalways said money didn't count for so much anyway--that it wascharacter--and he's got that. "

"Hum!" For the life of him Adam Adams could not speak. He felthimself growing hot and cold by turns. He caught the girl closer. Never had he loved his friend's daughter so much as now. 

"I hoped you would approve, " she went on, shyly. "I--of course Ididn't want to leave you--you've been so very good to me since papa andmamma died. But--but Tom doesn't seem to want to wait. He has askedme twice now and--and--I don't know how I am going to put him off. Heseems so miserable when I say wait. "

"Asked you to marry him?"

"Yes. "

"And he wants you to go to the theatre with him--now?"

"The invitation is for to-night--he sent it last week. He has beentraveling out of town, but he said he would be back some time to-day. I want you to meet him. " She paused. "Isn't it all right, Uncle Adam?"

He did not answer, and she gazed at him curiously. Then the look inhis face made her draw back, slowly and uncertainly. At that moment hefelt that the occupation of a detective was the most detestable in theworld. 

"You--you know something?" she gasped. "Oh, Uncle Adam, what is it?"

CHAPTER XI

AT THE CORONER'S INQUEST

Sidham was in a state of keen excitement. No such mystery as thedouble tragedy had occurred in that neighborhood before, and all of theinhabitants were anxious to hear the latest news and learn what thecoroner and the police were going to do. A hundred theories wereafloat, all centering on the one object--to find the murderer. 

"Find him or her, and swing him or her to the nearest tree, " was theverdict of many. "The law is all well enough, but this dastardly crimedemands an object lesson. "

Coroner Jack Busby, who was a dealer in horses, had never had a murdercase before, and was uncertain as to the method of procedure. But withthe eyes of the whole community on him he realized his importance, ashe ran hither and thither, to arrange for the inquest. He felt thathis own little office was altogether too small for the occasion and soarranged to bring off the affair in the general courtroom. 

The place was soon crowded with people, and another crowd gatheredoutside. The hour for opening the inquest was at hand and the majorityof the witnesses were present. The coroner, short, fat andbald-headed, looked around anxiously and then turned to the chief ofpolice, who was near at hand. 

"I don't see Miss Langmore. "

"Neither do I, " answered the guardian of the law, with a shrug of hisshoulders, as if it was none of his especial business, "Yes, but--ahem! you are--ahem! responsible--"

"She'll be here, coroner, don't worry. "

"You have had her properly guarded?"

"Yes. I reckon she's coming now, " and the chief of police noddedtowards a side door of the courtroom. 

There was a slight commotion, and Margaret entered, escorted by RaymondCase, and followed by one of the women and the policeman who had beenon guard at the Langmore mansion. The crowd arose to gaze at the girland to pass various comments. 

"Mighty pale, ain't she?"

"Wouldn't think a girl like that could do such an awful thing!"

"Humph! you can't tell about these high-toned folks. They'd doanything. Didn't one of them millionaires run over two of my hens withhis automobile an' never stop to settle the damage? Don't tell me!"

"Yes, and she detested her step-mother--the hired girl told Mrs. Brownso, an' she told me. "

"Well, Coroner Busby will git to the bottom of it putty quick. He toldLem Hansom he knew what he was doin'. "

"He must know, if he's as slick at tryin' folks as he is in a hossdicker, " returned an old farmer who had made a trade of steeds whichhad proved unprofitable for him. 

Margaret was shown to a chair and sat down, with Raymond beside her. The young man was plainly nervous, yet he did what he could to comforthis companion. 

"Courage, Margaret, " he whispered. "It is bound to come out right inthe end. "

"I can scarcely see a friendly face, " she faltered, taking a shy lookaround. "They all think I am--" She could not finish, but had tobite her lip to keep the tears from flowing. 

The coroner mounted the platform and rapped on a desk with his knuckles. 

"The--ahem! courtroom will come to order!" he called out, gazing aroundon all sides. 

There was a final buzz and then the place became quiet, broken only bythe ticking of a big round clock on the wall. 

"We are gathered here--ahem! to inquire into the mysterious deaths ofMr. And Mrs. Barry Langmore, " went on the coroner. 

"That's so--an' we want plain facts, " put in an old farmer, sittingwell up front. 

"Silence!" cried the coroner. "We must have silence!"

"All right, Jack, " replied the farmer. "I won't say another word. "

"Silence. We cannot go on if there is not silence. Ahem! ahem! MissLangmore!"

Margaret arose and bowed slightly. Then the coroner swore her in as awitness and told her to relate her story. She could scarcely stand andRaymond brought her chair forward. 

"You wish me to tell all I know?" she asked, in a faint but clear voice. 

"Everything, " was Coroner Busby's answer. 

Pausing for a moment to collect her thoughts, she plunged into therecital, her tale being merely a repetition of that given to AdamAdams. When she came to tell how her father had been found her voicebroke and it was fully a minute before she could go on. When she hadfinished the courtroom was as still as a tomb, save for the ticking ofthe clock, now sounding louder than ever. 

"Is that all?" asked the coroner, after a painful pause. 

"Yes, sir. "

"They say, Miss Langmore, that you were not on good terms with yourstepmother. "

"Who says so?"

"It is an--ahem! a common rumor. What have you to say on that point?"

"It is true, sir, " answered Margaret, after another pause, during whichthe eyes of all in the courtroom were fixed upon the girl. 

"It is said that you had violent quarrels, " pursued the coroner. 

"No very violent quarrels. Sometimes we did not speak to each otherfor days. "

"Then you admit that you did quarrel?"

"I do. "

"And you also quarreled with your father?"

"No, sir. "

"What, not at all?" queried Coroner Busby, elevating his eyes insurprise, either real or affected. 

"We held different opinions upon certain questions, but we did notquarrel. "

"Hum!" The coroner mused for a moment. 

"That is all for the present, " he added, and Margaret moved back towhere she had been first sitting. 

"I am glad that is over, " whispered Raymond. "Can I do anything? Getyou some water?"

"No, nothing, " she answered, and dropped a veil over her face. 

The next witness called was Mary Billings, the domestic employed at theLangmore mansion, and who had been about the place at the time of thetragedy. She proved to be a round-faced Irish girl, not particularlybright, and now all but terror-stricken. As soon as she was sworn inshe burst into tears. 

"Sure as there is a heavin above me, Oi didn't do that murder, so Oididn't!" she moaned. 

"Nobody said you did, " answered the coroner dryly, while a generalsmile went around the courtroom. 

"Then why did yez bring me here, I dunno? Sure an' Mr. Langmore wasafther bein' me bist frind, an' Oi wouldn't harm him fer a milliondollars, so Oi wouldn't!" It was with difficulty that she was quietedand made to tell what she knew. 

"Where were you from ten o'clock to twelve of the morning of thetragedy?" was the first question put to her. 

"Oi was in the kitchen, an' down to the barn, yer honor. "

"Were you in the kitchen first. "

"Sure an' Oi was that. "

"What were you doing?"

"Phat was Oi doin'? Sure Oi was washin' the dishes, cl'anin' thesilverware, peelin' the praties, shellin' the beans, cleanin' thelamps, fixin' the--"

"Ahem! You mean you were doing the housework, eh?"

"Yis, sur. "

"While you were in the house, did you leave the kitchen?"

"Only to go to the ciller fer a scuttle o' coal. "

"Did you see or hear anything unusual going on while you were in thekitchen?"

The Irish girl scratched her head and shrugged her shoulders. 

"Oi heard a lot av things, yer honor. "

"What were they?"

"Oi heard Mrs. Langmore walkin' around upstairs, an' Oi heard MissMargaret walkin' around, too. Then Oi heard Mrs. Langmore call to MissMargaret. "

"Did Miss Margaret answer?"

"Oi dunno--if she did, Oi didn't hear her. "

"What else?"

"Thin Oi heard the front dure slam. "

"Did you see anybody come in or go out?"

"Sure, an' Oi did not. "

"What time was this, as near as you can remember?"

"Atwixt tin an' eliven o'clock. "

"Did you hear anything after the slamming of the front door?"

"Oi did not, fer Oi wint down to the barn directly afterwards. "

"How long did you remain down at the barn?"

"Till Miss Margaret came scr'amin' from the house. She cries, 'Mary, oh Mary! Me father! Me father!' an' staggers around loike she wasgoin' to fall, an' Oi run up to her an' hild her up, poor dear. " Andthe servant girl shot a sympathetic glance in Margaret's direction. 

"Ahem! Now--er--you remained in the barn until you heard her cry out. Did you hear or see anything from the barn while you were down there?"

"Well, to tell the truth, sur, Oi didn't notice anythin' at the toime, bein' that interested in me pet chickens, sur. Ye see, Pat Callahangave me three foine Leghorns, an'--"

"Never mind the Leghorns. If you saw or heard anything, what was it?"

"'Twas something Oi was afther hearin', sur. Oi think somebody ranpast the barn, aisy loike. "

"You didn't see anybody?"

"No, sur. As Oi said before, thim Leghorns that Pat Callahan gaveme--"

"We'll--ahem! drop the Leghorns. After you heard the strange noise howlong was it before you heard Miss Langmore scream?"

"Perhaps quarter av an hour, sur. Oi didn't look to the clock. "

"And she fainted in your arms?"

"Not exactly that, sur. She scr'ams, 'Me father! me father! Mary, heis murdered! Go to the library!' An' thin she wint over in me armsloike a stone, poor dear, poor dear!" And the domestic began to weepafresh. 

"What did you do then?"

"Sure, phat could Oi do? Oi scr'amed fer hilp as loud as Oi could, an'thin Mrs. Bardon an' her son, Alfred, the docthor, came over. "

"What happened next?"

"We all wint in the house, an' there we found poor Mr. Langmore dead inthe library, in his chair. The doctor thought he moight be aloive yitan' had his mother an' me run upstairs fer some medicine from themedicine closet. In the upper hall we kim on Mrs. Langmore's body, also dead, an' I got that scared Oi turned an' flew down the backstairs an' out av the house loike the divil was afther me!"

There was a general laugh throughout the courtroom, at which thecoroner rapped loudly on the desk. 

"Silence. Such--ahem! conduct at an inquest is not to be allowed. Ifthis happens again I shall clear the courtroom. "

"Thet's right, Jack, make 'em behave themselves, " came from the oldfarmer in front. "This is serious business, this is. "

"What was done with the body of Mrs. Langmore?" continued the coronerto the servant girl. 

"The docther said to lave it till you came. "

"Mrs. Langmore was quite dead?"

"Yis. Hivin rest her sowl!"

"And Mr. Langmore?"

"Sure an' the docther could do nothin' fer the poor mon. It made thedocther sick to work over the corpse an' he soon had to give it up. "

"Now, tell me, how do you think the two were killed?"

"Oi dunno. The docther ought to tell that--sure an' he has theeddication, an' Oi haven't. "

"There were no marks of violence?"

"Phat?"

"The victims had not been struck down?"

"Oi dunno as to that, sur--better axed the docther. "

"Hum!" Coroner Busby mused for a moment. "How long have you livedwith the Langmore family?"

"Iver since Mr. Langmore married his sicond woife. "

"How many of the family lived at home?"

"The first year there was the mister and missus an' Miss Jennie an'Miss Margaret. But Miss Jennie married an' moved away--she's travelin'now, they tell me. "

"Then Miss Margaret was the only child home?"

"Yis, sur. "

"Didn't Mrs. Langmore have two sons?"

"Yis, but they niver lived there. One av thim used to come an' see hernow an' thin, an' that's all. "

"Was Miss Margaret on good terms with Mrs. Langmore?"

"She was not. Mrs. Langmore was a--a vixin, always afther findin'fault, an' Oi wasn't on good terms wid her meself. "

"Ah! Then you quarreled also?"

"Oh, no, sur, Oi knew me place, so Oi did, an' did me wurruk an' saidnothin'. If it hadn't been fer Miss Margaret Oi'd a lift me job longago. But she was such a noice girrul, an' so lonely loike, in thehouse wid that tongue-lasher--"

"Wait! wait! You say Miss Margaret and Mrs. Langmore quarreled. Whendid they quarrel last?"

At this question the domestic pursed up her lips and looked at Margaret. 

"Oi have nothin' to say about that, " she answered coldly. 

This reply was a surprise to all, including Raymond. The coroner gazedat the witness sternly. 

"You must answer, " he said. "It is my duty to get at the bottom ofthis awful affair. "

"Oi'll not answer, " was the stubborn return. 

CHAPTER XII

FOR AND AGAINST

There was a moment of intense silence throughout the courtroom. Everyeye was turned on Mary Billings, who pursed up her lips more closelythan ever. 

"You'll not answer?" thundered Coroner Busby. 

"Mr. Coroner, " began Raymond, rising, "is it legally necessary that sheanswer? Remember, she is here without proper legal council. "

"Silence! I--ahem--yes, she must answer, or I shall have to commither, as a witness if for nothing else. Girl, are you going to answeror not?"

"Sure, an' Oi--"

"Chief, will you call a policeman?" went on the coroner, turning to thechief of police. 

He was a fairly good judge of human character. At the sight of thebluecoat the domestic wilted and began to sob. 

"Ohone! Ohone! don't take me to prison!" she wailed. 

"You prefer to answer?"

"Yis, if Oi must. But Oi think Miss Margaret the swatest littlelady--"

"Never mind that. When did the girl and her stepmother quarrel last?Come now, tell me the plain truth, " and the coroner put as much ofsternness as possible in his voice. 

"Well, thin, if yez has got to know, it was on the marnin' av themurders, sur, " sniffled the servant girl. 

"When was this?"

"Right afther breakfast. They had some words at the table, too. "

"What was said? Repeat the exact words if you can, " and the coronerleaned forward expectantly, while many in the courtroom held theirbreath. 

"Mrs. Langmore said she wished Miss Margaret was off the face of theearth, an' that she'd be afther seein' that the dear girrul wasn't inthe house much longer. 'Twas a very bitter scene, an' me heart wintout to the dear girrul--"

"And what did Miss Margaret reply to that?"

"She said it was her father's house, an' she would stay as long as herfather wished her to. An' it was her father's house, too. "

"And after that?"

"A whole lot more followed, which Oi didn't catch, fer Oi am noavesdropper. But Oi did hear Mrs. Langmore, in a perfect rage, cry outthat she'd kill Miss Margaret if the girrul didn't moind her. "

"And then?"

"Miss Margaret said she would do as she pl'ased--that she was her ownmistress--an' Oi was glad to hear her say it. Mrs. Langmore went onwid her quarrel--sure, an' she had the divil's own tongue, so she had. Thin she must have caught hould av Miss Margaret, fer Oi heard thegirrul cry out to lit go or she'd stroike her down. Thin there wasmore wurruds, hotter an' hotter, an' Mrs. Langmore said she would makethe girrul mind as sure as fate, an' thin Miss Margaret got roused upan' she said fer Mrs. Langmore to beware, that she had Southern bloodin her veins, an' she wouldn't be accountable fer what she did, if herstepmother wint too far. "

There was a pause, and a murmur ran the round of the little courtroom. The testimony seemed to be highly important and many shook their heads. The girl and her stepmother had certainly had a bitter quarrel, thegirl had hot Southern blood in her veins, and the bitterness had endedin the tragedy. In the minds of many it was only a question of whatthe extenuating circumstances might be. 

"Was Mr. Langmore present at this quarrel?" asked the coroner, afteranother pause. 

"He was at the breakfast table, but afther that he wint to the bank. "

"Did you hear anything more?"

"Not right away, sur. Oi wint to me work. Whin Mr. Langmore came fromthe bank Oi heard him talkin' to Miss Margaret. "

"What was said then?"

"Oi dunno exactly, exceptin' that he said he was sorry she an' herstepmother had quarreled, an' he wanted her to make it up wid hiswoife. "

"And what did Miss Margaret say to that?"

"She said that all she wanted was to be left alone. "

"What else?"

"Oi didn't hear anything more, as Oi wint to the ciller fer coal. Byan' by Oi see Miss Margaret in the garden cryin'. Oi wanted to go toher, but Mrs. Langmore kim to the kitchen an' Oi had to attind to mewurruk. "

"How did Mrs. Langmore seem to appear when she came to the kitchen?"

"Sure an' she was very excited an' findin' more fault than iver. Shestayed only a few minutes, an' thin wint to the library, an' that wasthe very last Oi saw av her. Oi'm sorry she's dead, but she had thatdivil's own temper!" And the domestic heaved a long sigh. 

"That will do. You may sit down. " The coroner looked around thecourtroom. "Is Doctor Bardon present?"

For reply the young physician came forward from one side of the room. He looked pale and slightly troubled. In a low voice he corroboratedthe testimony already given regarding the finding of the two bodies, and told what he had done in his effort to restore Mr. Langmore to life. 

"I thought there might be a spark there still, but I was mistaken, " hewent on. "He looked so natural--and Mrs. Langmore looked natural, too, for the matter of that. But both were stone dead. "

"What was the cause of death?"

"That is something of a mystery. I have tried my best to get at thebottom of it, but I cannot, nor can my colleague, Doctor Soper. "

"Were the pair strangled, smothered, poisoned?" suggested the coroner. 

"I have a theory that they were poisoned, but not in an ordinary way. Neither Doctor Soper nor myself could find any traces of ordinarypoison. "

"What is your theory?"

"Something was used to stupefy them, and so much was used that itkilled them. "

"In that case the murder might have been unintentional?"

"Yes. Somebody might have thought to stupefy Mr. Langmore and then robhim. But the drug, being too powerful, or used too long, might havedone its deadly work. Then the crime may have been discovered by Mrs. Langmore and the murderer might have turned on her to conceal his firstwrongdoing. "

"Hum. Have you--ahem! any idea of the nature of the poison?"

"No, excepting that it had a very powerful odor. When I bent over Mr. Langmore I got several whiffs of it and it made me sick at the stomach. But the odor was soon gone. "

"And you have no idea what the poison was?"

"No, nor has Doctor Soper. It may be something new, or somethinglittle known. Chemists are constantly discovering new things, " went onthe young physician, bound to clear himself of any suspicion ofignorance concerning medical matters. 

"You found no marks of violence, as if there had been a struggle?"

"The only marks I found were two scratches on the right arm of Mrs. Langmore, right above the wrist, and a scratch on Mr. Langmore's leftcheek. "

"Finger nail scratches?"

"Possibly, or else they may have been made by a ring or bracelet--ifthere was a struggle. "

"Hum! Have you anything else to tell, doctor?"

"I have not. I am willing to tell all I know. "

There was another pause, as the young physician stepped back. Thecoroner was about to call one of the women set to guard Margaret andthe Langmore mansion, when he suddenly turned. 

"Miss Langmore, you will please take the stand again, " he said, and thegirl did so, throwing aside her veil. "Are you in the habit of wearingfinger rings and bracelets?"

It was a leading question and several gasped as they heard it. Raymondstarted to rise up, but then sank back again. 

"I do not wear bracelets, " answered Margaret. "I have two rings. "

"What kind of rings are they?"

"One is a plain gold band. It was my mother's wedding ring. " Thegirl's voice sank low suddenly. "The other is a diamond ring, as youcan see, " and she held up her hand. 

"Will you let me have the diamond ring?"

"Yes, sir. " She took it off. "But please be careful of it, for it--itis very precious to me. "

The coroner nodded. "That is all just now, " and as Margaret let fallthe veil again, he called Doctor Bardon to his side. A whisperedconversation ensued, and the young physician left with the preciouscirclet--Margaret's engagement ring--in an envelope. 

"Margaret, you should not have let him have that ring, " whisperedRaymond. 

"How could I help it?" was the low answer. "Oh, this is terrible! Ifeel as if everybody was trying to look me through and through!"

"I can't understand why Mr. Adams is not here, " went on the young man. "Perhaps he has found some important clew and is following it up, " headded hopefully. 

"They are bound to convict me, Raymond! Isn't it horrible?"

"They shall never do it, never!" cried the young man. And then a sharprapping on the desk terminated the brief conversation and restoredquietness to the little courtroom. 

CHAPTER XIII

THE WEIGHT OF EVIDENCE

The next witness called was Mrs. Morse, who told briefly how she hadbeen placed in charge of the upper part of the Langmore mansion shortlyafter the tragedy, and how she had been watching Margaret. She saidthe girl had had only a few visitors, mentioning Raymond Case and astranger from New York. 

"Who was the stranger?" asked Coroner Busby. 

"A Mr. Adams. He's either a lawyer or a detective. "

"Oh!"

"I brought Mr. Adams to see Miss Langmore, " put in Raymond. "Wasn'tthat all right?"

"Certainly--certainly, " answered the coroner hastily. 

"I have kept the best watch on Miss Langmore that I could, " went on thewoman. "You told me to do it. "

"Has Miss Langmore had anything to say about her father?"

"She seems to be very sorry that he is dead. "

"What did she say about Mrs. Langmore?"

"She does not seem to care much about her stepmother. "

"Have you discovered anything unusual, Mrs. Morse, that had to do withthis tragedy?"

"Well, I don't know. I have looked around a bit, and among otherthings I found this. It was in Miss Langmore's dressing case. "

As she spoke the woman held up a small bottle. It was markedchloroform and was empty. 

"Anything else?"

"With the empty bottle I found the half of a big silk handkerchief. Itwas wrapped around the bottle and had Miss Langmore's monogram in thecorner. I went on hunting around the house and I found the other halfof the handkerchief in a dark corner of the upper hallway, not far fromwhere Mrs. Langmore's body was found. "

At this announcement there was a buzz of excitement. All presentlooked at the witness and then at Margaret. The girl had thrown asideher veil once more, and was standing up, with a face as pale as deathitself. 

"I--I--may I speak?" she faltered. 

"Yes. "

"I bought that chloroform a month ago and used it to put a sick canaryand a sick parrot out of their misery. Mary Billings saw me chloroformthe parrot. "

"When did you do the chloroforming?"

"About a week ago, on the parrot. The canary I chloroformed when Iobtained the drug. "

"Sure, and that's roight, sur, " broke in the servant girl. 

"Then you know all about using chloroform?" remarked the coroner dryly. 

"The druggist told me. "

"Did it take all you had for the birds?"

"No. "

"What did you do with what remained?"

"I threw it away, for I had no further use for it. "

"Hum. " The coroner turned to Mary Billings. "Did you see her throwthe chloroform away?"

"N--no, " stammered the servant girl. "But if she says she did, shedid, " she added stoutly. 

"Now, Mrs. Morse, did you find anything else of value?"

"I did not, but Mrs. Gaspard, who was in charge downstairs, did. "

"Very well, you may step down. Mrs. Gaspard!" And the other womancame forward to face the coroner and his jury, and was sworn. 

"Mrs. Morse says you found something of importance. What was it?"

"It was this, Mr. Busby, " and the woman held out a sheet of note paper. "I came across it on the stairs leading to Miss Langmore's room. ShallI read it?" And as the coroner nodded, the woman read as follows:

"Since you refuse to open your room door to me, let me give you fairwarning. You must either obey your mother that now is, and me, orleave this house. I have had enough of your willfulness and I shallnot put up with it any longer. "

As the woman finished reading she handed the paper to the coroner. 

"Ahem! Mrs. Gaspard, do you know who wrote this note?" asked thelatter. 

"The handwriting is exactly like Mr. Langmore's. I have compared thetwo, and so have Mrs. Morse and Mr. Pickerell, the schoolmaster. "

Again all eyes were bent upon Margaret. She had again arisen and wasswaying from side to side. 

"My father--never--never sent me--never wrote such a note--" shegasped, and then sank back and would have fallen had not Raymondsupported her. 

"A glass of water, quick!" cried the young man, and it was handed tohim, and also a bottle of smelling salts. In a moment more Margaretrevived. 

"Take me away, " she moaned. 

"I am sorry, but that cannot be allowed, " replied the coroner. "Youwill have to remain until this session is over. "

"It's an outrage!" exclaimed Raymond, his eyes flashing. "You are allagainst her, and you are going to prove her guilty if you possibly can. The whole proceedings is a farce. "

"Silence, young man, or I'll have you removed by an officer. You haveinterrupted the proceedings several times. I do not know what interestyou have--"

"I am not ashamed to tell you of my interest, sir. I am engaged tothis young lady. I know she is innocent. It is preposterous toimagine that she would kill her own father. They loved each other toomuch. "

"Yes, but this note--" piped in Mrs. Gaspard. She was a strongbeliever in Margaret's guilt. 

"I know nothing about that. It may be a forgery. I know Miss Langmoreis innocent. "

"To merely say a thing does not prove it, " came from the coroner. "Wewant facts, nothing else--and we are bound to have 'em. " He began towarm up also. "I'm here to do my duty, regardless of you or anybodyelse. I ain't going to shield anybody, rich or poor, high or low, known or unknown! Now, you sit down, and let the inquest proceed. "And Raymond sat down, but with a great and growing bitterness fillinghis heart. He looked at Margaret and saw that she was trembling fromhead to foot. 

There was an awkward pause. 

"Mrs. Gaspard, did Mr. Pickerell say he thought Mr. Langmore hadwritten this note?" questioned the coroner. 

"He said the two handwritings were exactly alike. Here is a letterwritten and signed by Mr. Langmore. You can compare the two, if youwish. "

The letter was passed over and not only the coroner, but also his jury, looked at both documents carefully. 

"Pretty much the same thing, " whispered one man. 

"Exactly the same, " added another, and the rest nodded. 

The coroner looked around the courtroom and then at the jury. 

"Have any of you any questions to ask?" he queried of the men. "If notwe'll take a brief recess until Doctor Bardon returns. "

One after another the jurors shook their heads. Whatever the coronerdid was sufficient for them. Coroner Busby had picked men he knewwould agree with him. 

The recess had lasted but a few minutes, when Doctor Bardon reappeared. His face wore a knowing look that was almost triumphant. 

"You will please take the stand again, doctor, " was the request. "Iwish to ask you if a person could be smothered by chloroform. "

"Certainly, under certain conditions. "

"Do you think it possible that Mr. And Mrs. Langmore could have beensmothered in that way?"

"Possibly, yes, although I did not see any traces. "

"Would there have been traces?"

"Yes and no--it would depend on circumstances. "

"Hum. Now about the diamond ring belonging to Miss Langmore, which Igave you a short while ago to examine? Have you--ahem--examined it?"

"I have, and so has Doctor Soper. We used a magnifying glass and madeseveral tests. "

"Did you find anything unusual?"

"We did. In the first place two of the prongs which hold the diamondin place are bent out and up in such a fashion that each forms a sharppoint. We next looked under the stone and found there a substancewhich both of us are convinced is a bit of dried-up blood. "

"You are sure it is blood?"

"Yes. I can illustrate it scientifically, if you desire. "

"It will not be necessary just now. When you say blood do you meanhuman blood?"

At this the young physician shrugged his shoulders. 

"I am not prepared to go as far as that. We should have to makeanother test. The amount was so very small. "

"Might be blood from a mosquito, " muttered Raymond. "There are enougharound here. "

"You may think as you please, " said the young doctor. "I am onlystating the facts. "

"Have you anything else to say, doctor?" came from the coroner. 

"Nothing more. Here is the ring. We have kept what we found under thestone. "

"Very well. Miss Langmore, you may have the ring back. " It was passedout and Raymond took it and slipped it back on Margaret's hand, whichwas cold and nerveless. The girl was sitting as motionless as a marblestatue. 

There was another pause and then, one after another, several minorwitnesses were brought up and examined. At four o'clock the coronerbegan to sum up the evidence, to which the jury listened with closeattention. Then the jurors filed out into a side room, the door towhich was tightly closed. 

"Is--is it over?" faltered Margaret. "Wha--what will they do next?"

"We must wait for the finding of the jury, Margaret. "

"How long will that take?"

"I don't know. "

"Mr. Adams did not show himself. I thought he would help us in someway. "

"He must have a good reason for staying away. "

"What do you think the jury will do?"

At this direct question, the young man gave an inward groan. "I don'tknow, " he answered in an unnatural voice. "We must hope for the best. "

In less than an hour it was announced that the jury had arrived at averdict. Those who had left the courtroom returned and the jurymenfiled in. The excitement was subdued, but plainly at a white heat. The coroner took his place at the desk. 

"Gentlemen of the jury, have you agreed upon a verdict?" was thequestion put. 

"We have, " was the unanimous answer. 

"Who will speak for you?"

"Mr. Blackwell, our foreman. "

"Very well. Ahem! Mr. Blackwell, what is the verdict?"

Mr. Blackwell, a well-known citizen of the town, stood up. Thecourtroom became intensely silent. 

"We find that Mr. And Mrs. Barry Langmore came to their deaths eitherby being smothered, chloroformed, poisoned, or in some similar fashion, the direct means not yet being brought to light, and we find that theevidence points to Margaret Langmore as the one who committed themurders. "

Hardly was the verdict rendered than a wild cry rang out through thecourtroom. Margaret staggered to her feet, put out her hands in anuncertain fashion, and then dropped senseless into Raymond's arms. 

CHAPTER XIV

IS THIS MADNESS?

Instantly there was wild confusion, and half a dozen persons sprangforward to assist Raymond with his burden. But he waved them back. 

"Let her have air, " he said. "Don't crowd so close. She must haveair, " and he moved towards a window. The crowd separated to let himpass and allowed him the use of an entire bench, while more water wasbrought and the bottle of smelling salts was again produced. In themeantime the coroner whispered to the chief of police, who in turnwhispered to a policeman, and the two minions of the law followedRaymond. 

Margaret lay like one dead, every particle of color having forsaken hercheeks. Raymond waited anxiously, and then applied his ear to herheart. 

"A doctor!" he cried hoarsely. "A doctor, for Heaven's sake! She isdying!"

Doctor Bardon came forward, followed by Doctor Bird, and both looked atthe unconscious one closely and critically. There was no shamminghere--the shock had been heavy--the bolt had struck home. 

"This is serious, truly, " murmured the older physician. "We had betterremove her to a side room and loosen up her garments. "

Many were willing to assist, but Raymond shook them off and he andDoctor Bird carried Margaret into the room where the jury had arrivedat the verdict which had so stunned her. Then a nurse who happened tobe in the court-room was called in, and she and the physician began towork over the suffering girl. 

"Doctor--" Raymond could scarcely speak. "She will--will comearound all right?"

"Why, I guess so. She has swooned, that is all. The trial was toomuch for her. And then there was such a crowd, and the ventilationbeing poor--"

The young man waited, five, ten, fifteen minutes--it was as aneternity. The doctor still continued to work, and so did the nurse. Then the latter whispered something and Raymond caught the words, "amental shock, by her eyes. "

"What's that?" he questioned. He looked at Margaret and saw that hereyes were wide open and she was staring hard at him. "Margaret!"

She did not answer, but continued to stare, turning from him to thenurse and then to the old doctor. The chief of police was at thedoorway and she gave him a look that fairly froze his blood. 

"Who--" she began and stopped short. "How light it is! What struckme? Why are you all staring at me in this manner? What have I done?Where am I? Have I been sick?"

"Margaret!" Raymond came closer and took her hand. "Margaret!"

She stared at him and flung his hand away. "I've had a horribledream--I dreamed papa was murdered--that somebody had strangled him!Strangled him to get my engagement ring from me! And there was bloodthere, blood, and nobody could come to the lawn party. Oh, if theyknew--and my poor head--it swims so! And the bottle--thehandkerchief--"

"Margaret, Margaret! Don't go on so!" He caught her hand again andsank down on his knees beside her. "Be calm. It will all come outright. You fainted, that's all. Don't you remember, Margaret?"

"Yes, yes, I remember. You said you would marry me, and then you said, you, " she tore her hand away and pointed her finger at him, "you said Ihad murdered papa and murdered her! Oh, the shame of it, the shame!"And then she gave a shriek and began to rave, tearing at her clothesand her hair, until the latter fell all over her face. The paroxysmlasted for several minutes and then she fainted once more. 

"I shall have to give her something to quiet her, " said the doctor. "She is in a worse state than I at first imagined. The strain has beenentirely too much for her nervous system. We must get her to somequiet spot. "

"Shall we take her home?" asked Raymond. 

"No, I would not advise that, Mr. ----"

"My name is Raymond Case. "

"My home is a quiet one, " spoke up the nurse. "If you wish you cantake her there. It is not very far from here. "

"Besides, " the old doctor paused. "The coroner has something to sayabout it. "

"Coroner Busby has turned the prisoner over to me, " came from the chiefof police, and he advanced a few feet into the room. 

"The prisoner!" faltered Raymond. "Oh, yes, I suppose that is right. But you can't take her to jail. I'll go her ball for any amount he mayfix. "

"Sorry, Mr. Case, but they don't take bail on such a charge as murder. "

"But you can't lock her up in this condition--it would be inhuman. I'll have her taken to some quiet place and you can have a guardset--I'll pay all the bills. Ask the coroner if that won't do. Sheisn't going to run away. She looks now more as if she might die!" andhe gave a groan that came straight from his heart. 

The chief of police had once been young and in love with a pretty girland his face softened. Then he remembered what Raymond had said aboutpaying the bills. 

"I'll fix it up with Busby, " he said. "Go ahead and do what you wish, only don't take her out of town. "

A little later a carriage was brought around and Margaret was placedinside and driven rapidly to the home of Martha Sampson, the nurse. She began to rave again, but the physician gave her a quieting potion, which put her in a sound but unnatural sleep. She was placed in apretty and comfortable bedroom on the second floor in the rear, so thatshe might not be annoyed by those passing the house in front. Twopolicemen, in plain clothes, were put on guard, one relieving the other. 

In the meantime the news that Margaret had been adjudged guilty by thecoroner's jury spread like wild-fire, and the curiosity seekers couldscarcely be kept away from the place to which the poor girl had beentaken. 

"The grand jury can't do anything but indict her, " said more than one. "And, if there is any justice left, she'll surely be electrocuted. "

It was a bitter blow to Raymond, to have Margaret thought guilty, buthe did not think of that as he sat by her side, or walked up and downin the little hallway just outside of her door. Her staring eyeshaunted him and he longed for a look that should tell him her reasonhad once more asserted itself. 

The doctor had come and gone twice and had promised to come again thatevening. Slowly the hours wore away. The nurse had gone below toprepare herself something to eat, and Raymond stood by the sufferingone's bedside. He saw the eyelids of the one he loved quiver slightly. 

"Margaret!" he said softly, bending over her. 

There was no response and he repeated the name several times. Then hereyes opened full. 

"Where am I?" she asked vacantly. 

"You are safe, with me, " he answered and took her hand. 

"With you, Raymond? Where?"

"At the home of a lady who is going to take care of you for thepresent. "

"How queer! I thought I was at my own home. "

"We thought it best to bring you here. Miss Sampson will do all shecan for you. The doctor said you must be kept very quiet. " Hesmoothed down her hair. "You have had a terrible trial, my dear. "

"A trial? I don't remember it. What was it?" She stared vacantly athim. "Oh, how queer my head feels!" And she put one cold hand to hertemple. 

"Never mind trying to think now, Margaret. Just take it easy. Thedoctor will come back in a little while and he will give you somethingthat will make you all right again. "

"How long have I been here?"

"Only four hours. Now please, don't worry. "

"I can't--I can't think--it's all like a terribly dark cloud, Raymond. "She stared in a wild fashion and then a look of untold horror crossedher drawn features. "Ah! Yes, yes, I remember now! I remember!" Sheshook from head to foot. "I remember! The courtroom! And those manymen and women! And the ring--our engagement ring--think of that, Raymond! They found blood on it, blood!" And she shivered again. 

"Margaret, dearest, you must try to keep quiet, " he interruptedsoothingly. "It will all come out right, I feel certain of it. "

"Right? I don't know what you mean by that word. Was I on trial, orwhat?"

"No, not on trial. It was simply the coroner's inquest. But don'tthink of it, dear. " He tried to brush back her hair, but she stoppedhim. The wild look in her eyes was increasing. 

"The inquest? Oh, yes, I know now, and they said--they said--" Shegave a piercing scream. "They said I had killed her and killed my ownfather! Yes, that I had killed them! Do you hear, Raymond, I hadkilled them!" She sat up and motioned him away. "Do not touch me! Donot come near me!"

"Margaret!" he interrupted appealingly. 

"No! no! It is too late, too late!" Her voice sank to a hoarsewhisper. "I see it all--the blood on the ring, the chloroform, ourquarrels, and what she said to me, and then, and then--" She gaveanother scream. "Go away! go away! You must not come near me again!"

"But Margaret, dear--"

"No, I cannot listen! You must go away, and let them take me toprison, let them hang me if they will!" Her voice sank still lower. "There is nothing else to do--I see the end. They have cornered me, have found me out! Yes, they have found me out!" She gave a wild, uncanny laugh that made his flesh creep. "Ha! ha! I thought theycould not do it, but they did. They have found me out! They havefound me out!" And then, with another scream, she pitched back and layagain like one dead. 

CHAPTER XV

LOVE VERSUS BUSINESS

"Uncle Adam, you must tell me everything. Do you hear?--everything!"

"But my dear Letty, I am not sure of these things. I only want you towait. That's easy enough, isn't it?"

"It will be, if you tell me everything. But I can't wait if I am keptin the dark. " The girl raised her tear-stained face to that of thedetective. "Oh, I am sure you will do the best you can and allthat--you have always been so kind to me. But--but I must know thedetails. "

A half hour had passed since he had discovered that Letty Bernard wasin love with Tom Ostrello, that she had been in love with the travelingman ever since they had first met. He had heard her whole tale, howthe young man had taken her out and how they had planned for thefuture--a tale not uncommon even in these plain, common-sense days, when Romance lingers only on the outskirts of society. He had beentremendously interested, as much so as if the girl was his own fleshand blood. 

"Of course, he invited me to the theatre before he knew of the death ofhis mother, " Letty went on. "And I suppose he has been so upset hehasn't thought to notify me. But he might have sent me word, " sheadded wistfully. "I should have done so if it was my mother. "

"He is not like you, Letty. "

"Well, he is just as good. "

"That remains to be seen. "

"Are you going to tell me what you have in your mind or not, UncleAdam?"

He gazed at her fondly. How could he tell her? And yet, if hissuspicions were correct, it would be better for her to know the truthnow than to be struck down by it later on. 

"There is nothing very definite, Letty, " he said slowly. "You knowthat all detectives get on the wrong trail at times--I have made a messof more than one case--you know that, even if the general publicdoesn't. "

"Then he is suspected of these murders?" she said boldly. 

"If you must have the whole story, I'll tell it to you. It iscertainly a curious situation. At first suspicions pointed to Mr. Langmore's daughter; now they appear to point to Mrs. Langmore's son. For your sake and for the sake of Miss Langmore, who appears to be avery nice young lady, I trust we shall be able to prove some outsideparty guilty. "

"Tom isn't guilty, I am sure of that. "

"And Raymond Case is equally certain that Miss Langmore isn't guilty. "

"He is the young man who came here and engaged you?"

"Yes. "

"Is he engaged to her?"

"Yes. "

"Then, of course, he thinks her innocent. "

"I think her innocent myself. "

"Do you think Tom is guilty?"

At this direct question Adam Adams winced. He saw before him adisagreeable duty which must be performed. 

"I see I must give you the facts, Letty. But I will do so on onecondition only, and that is, that you keep what I have to say toyourself--considering them as office secrets. "

"Very well, Uncle Adam, I'll promise, " she answered, with a pale faceupturned to him. He bent down and kissed her on the forehead. Then helocked the office door, sat down in an armchair and let her sit on hislap, just as she had done since childhood. 

His recital took the best part of an hour, and he gave all theparticulars of his interview with Cephas Carboy and with Doctor Calkey, and told of the finding of the bit of paper with the address of thedrug firm on it, and of the strange Chinese poison. At the mention ofthe fatal drug she drew a sharp breath. 

"I--I--" she began, and stopped short. 

"Do you know anything of that drug, Letty? Perhaps he spoke to youabout it?"

"He did, once, when we were speaking of poisons. He said he was gladhis firm had decided not to handle it, for it was too dangerous. Ithas a power that most folks do not know about. "

"The power to kill people, I suppose. "

"No, not that. He said it was a fatal drug, but more than that, hesaid it had a strange power, according to the Chinese chemists whomanufactured it. That power was, if it was used on a person and didnot kill it would, in a few days or a week, make that person mad. "

"Humph! Worse and worse! Such a drug should be banished by law. Butto go on with my story, if you must hear the whole of it. I am fairlycertain it was that drug which was used to kill Mr. And Mrs. Langmore. "

"But Tom did not use it, " she insisted. "Somebody else must havegotten the drug from him or from his traveling sample case. "

"That is possible. Now there is another side to this case, which Icannot understand at all. " And then he told of the counterfeit bankbills. 

"Counterfeits!" she exclaimed, and the color began to leave her faceonce more. "What kind of bills were they, Uncle Adam?"

"They were one hundred dollar bills, on the Excelsior National Bank ofNew York City. "

She gave a gasp and clenched her little hands to control herself. Hecould not help but notice her increased agitation. 

"What is it, Letty? Do you know--"

"Oh, Uncle Adam, do not ask me, " she gasped. "I--I--there is somemistake--Tom did not--" she failed to go on and looked at thedetective hopelessly. 

"What do you know about these counterfeits? Come, it is best that youtell me everything, " he continued kindly, but firmly. 

"To--Tom had a counterfeit one hundred dollar bill. He--we went to thetheatre and he got into some trouble over it, until he convinced theticket seller that he did not know it was bad. "

"Did he tell you where he got the bill?"

"No, he said he got stuck, that's all. "

"Do you know what he did with it?"

"He said he was going to give it back and get a good one for it, if hecould. "

At that moment a postman's whistle sounded in the hallway and severalletters dropped through the slit in the door. The girl glanced atthem, and uttering a faint cry, arose and picked them up. 

"Here is one from Tom now. " She tore it open and glanced at ithastily. "I knew it, " she went on. "He is all upset because of themurder and scarcely knows what to do. He had an important engagementin Albany for yesterday and one in New York for to-day, but has brokenboth. He says he will come to me as soon as he can, and adds apostscript asking me to look in the papers for the particulars of theawful affair. You read it, Uncle Adam. That doesn't look much as ifhe were guilty, does it?"

The detective took the communication and scanned it with care. It hadevidently been penned in a hurry and was signed, "Your own Tom. " Oneline read: "I hope with all my heart that the authorities bring theguilty party to justice. "

"How could he pen that if he was guilty himself?" said Letty, pointingto the line. "Oh, Uncle Adam, you must look elsewhere for the one whodid this foul deed. "

"I wish I knew where he got that counterfeit?"

"Perhaps I can find out for you. "

"Can you tell me where he stays when in New York?"

"At the Kingdon House, on Broadway. "

"Then I may look him up. "

"Cannot I do something?"

"Yes--wait and keep quiet, Letty. "

"But you will try to clear him, if you can, won't you?"

"I am going to try to find the guilty party. "

"It is dreadful to remain here and do nothing, with such a cloudhanging over one. "

"Then take a vacation. It will do you good. Get Miss Harringford tocome in here--she knows the ropes--and you go off in the country or tothe seashore. I'll make you an allowance of fifty dollars for thetrip. Take it out of the cash on hand. And, Letty, don't worry toomuch. "

The girl smiled, but it was not a smile to please one. "Very well, I'll go off, " she said, and turned back to her desk. "I'll take thetime off to help clear poor Tom, " she murmured to herself. 

CHAPTER XVI

SOMETHING ABOUT A SECRET SERVICE MAN

On the following morning the newspapers brought to Adam Adams the fullparticulars of the Langmore inquest, with the finding of the coroner'sjury. The papers also described how Margaret Langmore had fainted andbeen placed at a nurse's residence, under the care of a physician andguarded by the police. By a few it was supposed that the girl'sillness was genuine, but the general opinion was that it was assumed, in order to draw public sympathy. Raymond Case was pictured as aloyal, but misguided young man, and it was hinted that his relativeswere much chagrined to see him remaining at the accused girl's side, inview of the evidence which had been brought to light. 

The detective read the accounts with interest and then leaned back inhis office chair in a thoughtful mood. Letty had absented herself andin the outer office was another girl, who had done substitute workbefore. Suddenly the detective arose with decision, went to thetelephone, and rang up Central. 

"Hullo!"

"Give me 45678 Park. "

There was a buzz and then a heavy voice came over the 'phone. 

"Hullo!"

"Is that you, Vapp?"

"Yes. Is this Mr. Adams?"

"Yes. Are you particularly busy?"

"Not if there is any money afloat, " and a chuckle came over the wire. 

"I want you to do some shadowing for me, I don't know how long it willtake. It's a man--a commercial traveler. You can pick out your ownmake-up. "

"When am I on?"

"Right away. "

"Want me up there first?"

"I think it will be best. I want to give you some details. "

"I'll be there in half an hour and all ready for the job. "

Adam Adams busied himself in various ways, and at the end of half anhour, a well-dressed, middle-aged man came in, carrying a small samplecase in one hand. 

"Hullo, going to be a commercial traveler yourself, eh?" commented thedetective. 

"It will give me an easy way to get around, " answered Charles Vapp. "I'm Andy Weber, representing the Boxton Seed Company. A seed man cango anywhere, in the city and the country. I got the outfit from oldBoxton himself. He thinks it a good joke and he will keep mum. Now, what's the game?"

"I want you to do some shadowing for me. "

"All right--that's my line. "

"This is a bit out of the ordinary, Vapp. "

"Well, that makes it more interesting. Who is the party?"

"The fellow's name is Tom Ostrello. "

"Foreigner, eh?"

"No, he is American-born--the son of Mrs. Langmore. "

"You don't mean the woman who was murdered with her husband?"

"Yes. He is a commercial traveler for a drug concern. "

"Good! I'm glad I elected to be a traveler myself. "

"As I said, Vapp, this is no ordinary case. I want you to keep trackof this man day and night. "

"I'll do it--if it can be done. "

"I want you to note every person he communicates with. "

"I'll do that, too. "

"And here is another thing of great importance. If he spends money, try to find out if it is good money. "

"Eh?" The shadower looked surprised for an instant. "You want me tolook out for counterfeits?"

"Exactly. "

"That is not so easy, but I'll do my best, " went on Charley Vapp, andthen he asked a number of questions regarding Tom Ostrello, all ofwhich Adam Adams answered as well as he was able. 

"You are to stay on this case until I tell you to drop it, " said thedetective. "And remember, if anything unusual occurs, let me know assoon as you can reach me. "

"I understand. Anything more?"

Adam Adams mused for a moment. 

"Yes. You know Miss Bernard, who works for me here?"

"Sure. "

"Well, take care that she doesn't see you shadowing Ostrello. "

"I'm wise, " answered the shadower, smiling, and the next moment he wasgone. He was not flustered by what was before him, for he had beenshadowing people for eleven years, and as long as there was fivedollars per day and his expenses in the work, he was willing tocontinue indefinitely. 

With the shadower gone, Adam Adams meditated for a moment and thendonned his walking coat and his hat. In his pockets he placed severallarge but rather flat packages. 

"I am going out, Miss Harringford, " he said to the clerk. "If I am notback by five o'clock, you may lock up and go home. Be on hand as usualin the morning. "

Down in the street he hopped aboard a passing car and rode eightblocks. He entered an office building, went up in an elevator to thethird floor, and took himself to a suite of offices occupied by certainUnited States secret service officers. 

"I want to see Mr. Breslow, " he said, and was shown to a privateapartment, where an elderly man sat, studying several reports. 

"How are you, Adams!" was the greeting. 

"Rather busy to-day, but what can I do for you?"

"I want to sell you some bank bills, " was the reply, and Adam Adamsdumped the package on the desk. Mr. Breslow opened it and examined thecontents. 

"By the jumping Judas! Where did you get those? Say, this is worthwhile. "

"I guess you haven't rounded up quite as many as I have, have you?"said the detective, with a grim smile. 

"As many? Why, man, we've only run across sixteen so far, and you'vegot thirty. They are such a clever counterfeit that even the banks getnipped. This is wonderful! I didn't know you were following thistrail. Why didn't you say something before? Or maybe you wanted tospring a surprise, and make some of the boys, down here feel cheap. "

"No, it was nothing but blind luck. I wasn't on the trail at all. Isimply stumbled over the bills. "

"Did you get your man?"

"There was no man to get. "

"Do you mean to say you found the bills?"

"I did and I didn't. They were in the safe of a man who was murdered. I guess I'll have to tell you the best part of the story, " and AdamAdams did so. "This is, of course, confidential, " he went on. 

"Trust me for that, Adams. Strange complication, as you just remarked. I suppose you are going to follow up the murder mystery. Will youfollow this up, too?"

"I think so. I can't get it out of my head that the two are related toeach other. "

"More than likely. Now, you just said you wanted to know something. "

"I want to know about this John S. Watkins, of Bryport. "

"Um! If I give you his record, you'll of course keep it to yourself. You know how the department is about such things?"

"You are safe with me. "

"I'll have the record brought in. "

There was a wait of several minutes, and then a big book was producedfrom one of the safes. 

"Here you are, Adams: John S. Watkins, Bryport. Born at New Haven, October 4, 1862. Former occupation, model maker and cabinet maker. Private detective for four years, and one year with the Cassell agency. Entered the United States service three years ago. Never beenadvanced. Cases 45, 254; 47, 732; 46, 829. Wait till I see what thosecases are. "

Then three other records were brought forth and examined. 

"Humph! all small affairs. No wonder he hasn't been promoted. Thefirst is that of a young woman who used washed postage stamps. Theyfound four dollars worth of washed stamps in her possession. The nextis the arrest of a cigar dealer, who used stamped boxes more than once. He was a fellow sixty-eight years old and got two years. The last caseis a mail-order swindle, a ten-cent puzzle, a small affair, run by anineteen-year-old boy, and sentence was suspended. "

"Not a very brilliant record, " was Adams's comment. "It's a wonder hecan hold his job. "

"It is a wonder. But he may have political influence, or somethingelse, or, it is barely possible that he may be doing some work that isnot on record here. That is all I can tell you. "

"What is his salary?"

"A thousand or twelve hundred a year. "

"Not a very elaborate income. No wonder he would like to run downthose counterfeiters. It would be a feather in his cap, eh?"

"Most assuredly. Do you expect to double up with him? Of course, it'snone of my business and you needn't answer if you don't care to. "

"I don't know what I'll do yet. This is a complication I want to studyfirst. "

"I see. Well, if we can help you--"

"I'll send word, don't fear. And if I do send word, I want you to acton the jump. "

"Don't worry about that. I know if you send word it means business, "answered the secret service officer, with a laugh. 

An hour later found Adam Adams on a train bound for Bryport. Hereached that city in the evening, and from a directory he learned wherethe secret service man resided. A street car brought him to within twoblocks of the dwelling. It was a building of no mean pretentions andon a corner which looked to be valuable. Walking along the side streethe saw that two domestics were at work in the kitchen and dining room. 

"He certainly lives in style, " mused Adam Adams. "Wonder if he managesit on twelve hundred a year?"

As it was a warm night the windows were open and by going close to thehouse he could hear the conversation being carried on by the servantsas they moved back and forth between the two rooms. 

From their talk, he learned that Mrs. Watkins and her two daughterswere at Saratoga, and that it was expected that the husband would joinhis family there soon. 

"And we'll have good times when he's gone, ain't that so, Caddie?" saidone of the domestics. 

"That we will, " was the answer. "Better times than now, anyway, whenyou can't tell when he is coming in and when he is going out. It is aqueer way he has with him lately. "

"I guess he is worried over his money. "

"Why, what do you know about that, Caddie Dix?"

"What do I know, Nellie Casey? Tim Corey told me Mrs. Watkins didn'tgit a cent of the old grandfather's money, although she said she did, and so did the master say so. It all went to the other part of thefamily. "

"Then where did Mr. Watkins git his money, I'd like to know. "

"Don't ask me. Tim says he is flush enough at the club and otherplaces. The government must pay him more than most folks imagine. "

"Is Tim goin' to the Rosebud's picnic?"

"Yes, and Dan's goin' too, and Dan wants me to bring you, " went on oneof the domestics, and then the talk drifted into a channel which was ofno further interest to Adam Adams. 

He rightfully surmised that John Watkins was not home and was somewhatpuzzled to decide what he should do next. It was a long journey fromBryport to Sidham, and it was a question if he could accomplishanything at the scene of the tragedy during the night. 

"Perhaps it will pay just as well to go to a hotel and go to bed, " hetold himself. 

He had just come out to the corner of the street and was halting at thecurb, when he saw two men approaching. One of the pair was JohnWatkins, and the other was a heavy-set stranger, with bushy hair and around, red nose and mutton-chop whiskers. 

"Here we are, Styles, " said John Watkins. "It's a little late, but Ireckon the girls can fix us up something to eat. It's better thangoing to a restaurant. "

"Anything will do me, if you've got a glass of ale to go with it, " wasthe reply. 

"Got to have a real Englishman's drink, eh?" said the secret serviceman, with a short laugh. "Well, I've remembered you and I can fix youup to the queen's taste. Come on inside. " And then the pair enteredthe house. 

CHAPTER XVII

AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION

Adam Adams had watched the appearance and disappearance of the two menwith interest. He remembered that Matlock Styles, the man who owed theLangmore estate $16, 000 on three mortgages, was an Englishman, withmutton-chop whiskers. Evidently the man who had arrived with thesecret service employee was the same individual. 

This being so, the question at once arose, what had brought the pairtogether? Matlock Styles lived in an old colonial mansion, so RaymondCase had said, a mile and a half from the Langmore estate. Did hiscoming to Bryport have anything to do with the tragedy or with thecounterfeits?

Going close to the house once more, he heard the two men enter theparlor and heard Watkins order supper. Then followed a conversation insuch a low tone that he could only catch an occasional word. He heardsomething about mortgages and then a safe was mentioned, but he couldnot catch the direct connection. Evidently though, they werediscussing the Langmore affair. 

In a short while supper was served and the two men passed to the dininghall. Here, while the girls were near, they spoke of matters ingeneral. The meal finished, John Watkins invited his visitor up to hisden on the second floor. 

As said before, the house was on a corner, and by the lighting up of aroom above, Adam Adams located the den, just behind the main frontcorner room, and close to a tree, which grew along the side street. Looking around, the detective made certain that nobody was observinghim, and then began to climb the tree with the agility of a schoolboy. One heavy branch ran out close to the building, and standing on thisbrought him to within three feet of the window, which was screened andopen from the bottom to admit the air. The curtain was down to withinthree inches of the window sill, thus affording the detective a chanceto peep into the apartment without running much risk of beingdiscovered. 

"Then you say the mortgages have not been paid?" came from John Watkins. 

"No, blast the luck!" growled Matlock Styles. "I didn't think hewanted the cash so I let them run on. "

"Have you any idea how the estate is to be divided?"

"I understand the girl gets half. The wife's half will go to her twosons now. "

"That is lucky for them. I reckon Dick Ostrello can use all the moneyhe can lay hands on. He's a wild one, if ever there was one. "

"Don't Tom spend his money?"

"Not lately. I understand he is saving up to marry some girl in NewYork. "

"Humph. "

There was a pause, during which time both men lit cigars. 

"How is the bloody business going?" asked Matlock Styles presently. 

"Oh, I manage to earn my salary, " answered the secret service man, witha dry laugh. "I don't get promoted though. "

"You ought to try to unearth some big mystery. That would get yourname in the papers. "

"I don't want my name in the papers. I am doing well enough. Ain't Ion the track of those counterfeits? What more do you want?"

"Yes, but you haven't got them yet, blast the luck! And you say youhad the safe open?"

"I did. "

"Then why didn't you look inside? I should have done so. "

"I thought I'd get a better chance later on. But when I went back hangme if I could work the combination again. "

"Have the safe makers opened the safe yet?"

"I think so, but if the counterfeits were found the local authoritieshaven't said a word. Somebody must be laying low. "

There was another pause, and then Matlock Styles brought some papersfrom his pocket. 

"You might glance over these bloody things while you have time, " heobserved. "Perhaps they'll give you a clue to work on. You see, Ibelieve in helping a detective all I can, " and he chuckled broadly. 

As Adam Adams could see, the documents were of legal aspect and withthem were several letters. 

"Then the deal goes through, " said John Watkins. 

"Doesn't that look like it?"

"And the patent is yours?"

"Yes. "

"I wonder what Barry Langmore would say to this, if he was alive?"

"He wouldn't like it at all. "

"Do you think you can make any money out of the patent?"

"Money? I hope to make a fortune out of it. "

"Say, Styles, you're a lucky dog and always were. "

"It's because I watch my bloomin' chances, " answered the Englishman. "By the way, were you at the inquest?"

"Sure. "

"I didn't see you. "

"No, but you spoke to me. "

"I did? You're mistaken. "

"Don't you remember the farmer who asked you for a chew of terbacker?"

"Was that you?" exclaimed Matlock Styles. "If it was you're improving. The first thing you know you'll be the real thing and getting a headposition at Washington. "

"I shouldn't mind that, " answered John Watkins. 

"Where are you going to-morrow?"

"To New York--to nose around. "

"Want to locate the counterfeits?"

"I want to see if they have been reported. I've got a certain ideaabout them, but I am not sure if I am right. "

"What's the idea?"

"That Langmore girl has engaged a detective named Adam Adams to clearher, if he can. He was dodging around the house when I was there, andsomehow it's got into my head that he knows about the counterfeits. "

"Does he belong to the secret service?"

"No, he's a private detective. I don't know much about him, but theysay he's a pretty good one, " continued John Watkins. 

"You think he opened the safe?"

"I'm thinking that perhaps he was at the safe after I opened it. Thesafe is of a make in which the combination can be changed with ease. He could have looked into it and then have changed the numbers. Icertainly didn't forget the old combination--it was so easy, four onforty, three on thirty and two on twenty--but that wouldn't open itwhen I went back. "

"Can't you get in with him and find out what's what?" suggested MatlockStyles. "You can tell him that you are working up this case of thecounterfeits. "

"I may do that. The trouble is, these private detectives don't like togo in with an outsider--they are too much afraid of losing the creditfor what they are trying to do. "

"Is anybody else on the case?"

"Not that I know of. If there was--"

At that moment the door bell of the house rang and soon one of thegirls came upstairs. 

"Mr. Martin is below, " said she to John Watkins. 

"Is that so? Tell him I will see him in a minute. " The secret serviceman turned to the Englishman. "He is a real estate man who is going tosell this house for me. I'd forgotten that I had an appointment withhim. "

"Never mind, give me that money you promised and I'll be going, "answered Matlock Styles. "I've got a lot of things to attend to in thenext few days. "

"I'll give it to you in the library. The money is in the safe, " wasthe answer, and then both of the men left the room. 

Adam Adams descended to the ground and walked slowly to the front ofthe house. In a few minutes he saw the Englishman step out on thefront piazza followed by the secret service man. 

"Where are you going now?" asked the latter. 

"Home and to bed, " was the reply. "Goodnight. Will I see youto-morrow?"

"Either to-morrow or the day after. I want to settle up this realestate deal. I promised my wife I'd do it. "

The Englishman came away from the house and hurried along the street towhere the trolley car ran. He boarded a car moving towards the depotand Adam Adams did the same. At the depot Matlock Styles took a trainfor home. 

Adam Adams made his way to a hotel in a thoughtful mood. Theconversation he had overheard interested him greatly. He decided tolearn more concerning the pair, and especially Matlock Styles, withoutunnecessary delay. 

CHAPTER XVIII

A GIRL'S RAVINGS

Raymond Case passed a sleepless night watching over Margaret. Thedoctor called once more, as he had agreed, and left another soothingpowder, which the nurse administered with difficulty. She shook herhead when she came out of the sick room. 

"What do you think?" questioned the young man pleadingly. 

"To tell the truth, it looks like a bad case to me, Mr. Case, " was thereply. "I may be mistaken, but I've had a pretty large hospitalexperience. She doesn't seem to respond to treatment as she should. "

"Don't you think I ought to call in a specialist?"

Martha Sampson shrugged her shoulders. "That is for you to say. Itwouldn't be proper for me to say anything against Doctor Bird. "

"I'll send for a specialist at once, " said Raymond, and hurried off tothe nearest telephone station. He had some difficulty in getting theproper connection with New York, and then had to hold the wire untilthe specialist could be roused up. The expert's fee was large, butonce guaranteed, he promised to come by the first train. 

"He'll be here by seven o'clock, " said the young man, on returning tothe house. 

"Will you let Doctor Bird know?"

"Yes, as soon as the specialist gets here. I want to be sure of my newman first. "

It was six o'clock when Margaret roused up once more. Raymond wasdozing in an armchair, the nurse having retired to get a short sleep. The young man was instantly at the sufferer's side. 

All the color had left Margaret's face and she was deathly pale. Hereyes were as bright as stars and had a look in them that Raymond hadnever before seen. 

"Are you better, Margaret?" he asked softly. 

"I--I don't know, " she answered slowly. "I--I feel very strange allover me. "

"Perhaps you had better go to sleep again. "

"No, I don't want to sleep any more, Raymond. I want to knowsomething. "

"What is it, dear?"

"Will they make me go to the funerals?" Her face began to show signsof worriment. 

"You'll not have to go if you don't wish to, " he answered, and gave aslight shiver in spite of himself, for the question was such anunexpected one. 

"I can't go--I can't look at them! And then the crowd would stare so!Oh, Raymond, the crowd is the worst of all! Hundreds of eyes boringone through and through! I can't stand that!"

"You'll not have to stand that, Margaret. But go to sleep, do! Itwill do you a world of good, " and he smoothed down her hair fondly. 

"No, I've slept enough--I want to talk. Oh, I am not afraid to talknow, " she added, sitting up. "I thought it all out while I wassleeping. Isn't it funny that one can think a thing out in one'ssleep? And it's so very clear now--as clear as crystal--and it was sodark and muddled before. Will they give me a trial?"

He started in spite of himself. "Please don't think of that now, Margaret, I beg of you. Lie down and try to sleep. I have sent foranother doctor, a specialist. He will be here soon. "

"A specialist? How can he help me? You hired that Mr. Adam Adams buthe has deserted me. But then--but then--he must have learned thetruth!" She gave a sob and buried her face in her hands. "Yes, hemust have learned the truth!"

"Margaret, do keep quiet, please!" he pleaded. "You need rest, youmust have rest. "

"No, I want to talk, to tell you something, Raymond. I--I want you togo away. "

"Away? Oh, Margaret!"

"Yes, away--you mustn't come near me any more. You are innocent and itisn't right that you should suffer with me. You must go away andforget me. "

"I'll never do that. You mustn't even dream of such a thing. We aregoing to get you well, and we are going to prove your innocence to theworld. "

"My innocence? Oh, Raymond, don't speak so--it cuts me like a knife!"

"But I mean it, " he said firmly. 

"Yes, yes, I know--you are so good-hearted, so true! But haven't Itold you? Must I go over it again? The ring, the blood--"

"Margaret!"

"And that note, and the quarrels, and all. Didn't they prove that Iwas guilty? Yes, they proved it, and I must--must-- Will they hangme or electrocute me? I wonder how it feels to be hung orelectrocuted?" She gave a hollow, bitter laugh. "I'll soon know, Isuppose!" And then she fell back on her pillow exhausted. 

The nurse had been aroused by the talking and stood in the doorway. She gazed questioningly at the young man. 

"Did you wake her up?"

"No, she roused up and insisted upon talking. "

"She ought to be kept quiet. I'll give her another powder. "

"Had you not better wait until the specialist arrives?"

"Well, we can do that--if he isn't delayed too long. "

After that the time dragged heavily. Just before train time Raymondtook a coach to the depot and there met the specialist and told hisstory as the pair were driven rapidly to the house. 

"It is a purely nervous shock, undoubtedly, " said the specialist. "Iwill first find out from the nurse what the other doctor has given her. "

He was soon in consultation with Martha Sampson. In the midst of thisDoctor Bird arrived. The local physician was willing enough totransfer the case to new hands. 

"I am of the opinion that she is guilty, " he said in private to thespecialist. "Mr. Case, of course, thinks differently. You can figureit out to suit yourself, " and he told exactly what he had done and thenwent away, not to return. 

Doctor Fanning watched at the sufferer's side for over an hour, beforeMargaret roused up again. The girl was very weak and spokedisconnectedly, but always in the same strain. She went over the sceneat the inquest several times, and spoke of the blood on the engagementring, as if that was the crown of her misfortunes. Then she sat upsuddenly and looked at the new doctor. 

"Are you the judge?" she demanded. "If you are I will tell you all. Iam guilty--they proved it! I am guilty! guilty! guilty!" she repeatedthe words over and over again, until she fell back on the pillow asbefore. Then she became delirious and it took both the nurse andRaymond to hold her. The doctor speedily opened up his case ofmedicines and gave her a hypodermic injection in the forearm. Then hemade an examination of the patient, lasting some time. 

"I will be plain with you, Mr. Case, " he said, drawing the young man toanother room. "This is a serious matter--a very serious matter indeed. I believe you think the young lady innocent of the crime of which sheis accused?"

"I am willing to stake my life on it. She is raving now, that is all. "

"Um!" The specialist nodded slowly and thoughtfully. "Well then, wecan only hope for the best. I had better stay with her, at leastto-day and to-morrow--there may be another turn to her conditionshortly. "

"Do your best, doctor. I am willing to foot the bill, no matter whatit is. "

"If I was certain she was innocent--"

"I am certain of it. "

"You have the proofs?"

"No, not that. But--"

"I understand your situation, Mr. Case, and I honor you for the standyou have taken. At the same time I feel it my duty to tell yousomething. It is about a case that came under my notice three yearsago. An old man was murdered and his wife was suspected of the crime. She declared that she was innocent and many believed her. But soon theevidence began to accumulate against her and she had the same kind of ashock that Miss Langmore has experienced. She raved and at last criedout that she was guilty--"

"And was she guilty?"

"It was never proven, although matters looked black against her. Thecase hung fire because the old woman kept growing worse. The doctorswho were in attendance did all that medical science could suggest tobring the old woman out of her peculiar state. But it was of no avail. "

"And the end, doctor, the end?" questioned the young man eagerly. 

"It's a sorry thing to tell you, but it is best to be warned. The oldwoman went mad and while in that condition she one night committedsuicide by leaping out of a window. It is a sad case but it may act asa warning. Someone must be on hand to watch Miss Langmore constantly. "

A long conversation followed, and the specialist gave minute directionto the nurse, who promised to get another nurse to relieve her. Thenthe medical man mixed up several drugs and placed the mixture in aglass with some water. 

The talk left Raymond in low spirits and the young man walked up anddown in the parlor below in a thoughtful mood. The outlook wascertainly gloomy enough. What if the shock should prove so severe thatMargaret would never get over it? In that case it would matter littleeven if her innocence was established. 

In the midst of his meditations he saw a man come up on the porch andhe opened the door to admit Adam Adams and ushered the detective in theparlor. 

"I understand Miss Langmore was brought here, " said Adam Adams, dropping into a chair. 

"Yes, " and Raymond told his story. "We looked for you at the trial, "he added. 

"I had other things to do, Mr. Case, and I read the most of thetestimony in the newspapers. But I am sorry to learn that MissLangmore is in this condition and I trust the specialist pulls herthrough in good shape. "

"Yes, yes, so do I. But we must clear her, Mr. Adams--it must be done. "

"I said I would do my best. But this is going to be no ordinarymystery to unravel. It is deeper than most folks suspect. A deepmotive was the cause of the double murder--a motive I hope to unearthbefore I am through. "

"Unless the mystery is speedily cleared up I am afraid Miss Langmorewill go raving mad, and the specialist is afraid so, too. "

"Yes, such things have happened before--the mental strain is too greatfor sensitive nerves to bear. So I must lose no time. Now to come tobusiness. I want you to tell me all you can about Mr. Langmore's lifeand his business dealings with people in this vicinity. "

CHAPTER XIX

ADAM ADAMS MAKES A NEW MOVE

It was not until an hour later that Adam Adams left Martha Sampson'scottage. He had gained from Raymond all the information he could andalso the names and addresses of half a dozen people he thought tointerview. He spent what was left of the forenoon in the town, callingat the bank, and on a lawyer and one of the merchants, and about threeo'clock in the afternoon made his way once more to the vicinity of theLangmore mansion. Here, to his surprise, he ran into Charles Vapp. 

"Is your man around here?" he asked, as the pair met in the shadow ofsome bushes. 

"Yes, went into the house five minutes ago. "

"Have you learned anything unusual?"

"Not much. He has been around arranging his business affairs and hemet Miss Bernard and the two had a confidential talk, but I couldn'tget close enough to hear what was said. After that he came out toSidham and there met a man named Matlock Styles. "

"Go on. "

"The two had a long talk, and Ostrello seemed to be angry aboutsomething. Then this Styles seemed to threaten Ostrello and the youngman seemed to lose all his nerve and wilt. I never saw a fellow changeso. 'You can't do it!' I heard him say and Styles answered: 'I can andI will, if you try to interfere with my business. ' Then they talked ina low tone and Styles went off in a buggy, saying he was going home. Ostrello walked up the street and down again, as if he didn't know whatto do. At last he hired a rig and came out here. He went into thehouse and I was just going to change my disguise and take a look aroundwhen you came up. "

"I see. Well, Vapp, if he meets this Styles again you do your levelbest to hear what is said. "

"I did it before, but they kept in a corner of a building and Icouldn't get near without attracting their attention. I tried it oncebut both of them gave me such a suspicious look I had to move on. "

"That's all?"

"He sent three letters and a telegram. The telegram was to the firm heworks for, something about an order for quinine pills--I heard itclicked off at the telegraph office. "

"Well, you can stay here and I'll go into the house. If he comes outyou follow him, " said Adam Adams. 

The detective found the mansion in charge of the policeman and Mrs. Morse. Both looked at him questioningly as he entered. 

"Nothing is to be touched, " said the policeman. "Them's orders fromheadquarters. "

"Is anybody here?"

"Mrs. Morse and myself, that's all. "

"No visitors at all?"

"No, sir. "

"That's queer. Haven't seen anything of Mrs. Langmore's son to-day?"

The policeman shook his head. "You haven't seen him, have you?" heasked of the woman. 

"No, and I don't want to see him, " she answered tartly. "I don't wantanybody to bother me, " and she looked directly at the detective. 

"I shan't bother you, " was the quick reply. "But as I am working onbehalf of Miss Langmore, and as this was her father's house and the onein which she lived, I think I shall take a look around, " he went on, ina slightly stiffer voice. 

"But orders--" began the policeman. 

"You may go around with me, so that you can be sure I do not touchanything. "

"Well, I dunno--" began the bluecoat. 

His speech was cut short by the banging of a rear door, as the windcaught it. Mrs. Morse gave a cry. 

"What was that? I didn't leave any door open!"

She ran to the rear of the mansion and the policeman followed. AdamAdams stepped to the front door and then out on the lawn. He was intime to see a man leap a side fence and start down the road. A momentlater Charles Vapp was following the disappearing individual. Thedetective stepped into the house again. 

"Well, that's mighty queer, " muttered the policeman, as he came back. 

"It is queer, " answered Adam Adams, eying him sternly. "You had betterexplain it if you want to keep out of trouble. "

"Explain what?" came from Mrs. Morse. 

"You just told me that nobody was in the house. "

"Well?"

"A man just left by the back door and ran away. Either you knew he washere or else you are not taking proper care of these premises. "

"Why, sir--" began the woman, but then her eyes dropped before thesteady gaze of the detective. "I--that is--"

"Who was that man? Come, answer me truthfully, or I shall report this, and let me say, my word will carry great weight. "

"Oh, well, if you must know, it was Mr. Ostrello, Mrs. Langmore's son. He wanted--er--some books he left here some time ago. I don't know whyhe left in such a hurry. Perhaps because he didn't wish to meet you. "

"Then you admit you lied to me, do you?"

At this the woman broke down completely and began to cry. "I didn'twant to do any wrong, sir. He said he wanted to get the books and hedidn't want every Tom, Dick and Harry to know he was here--those arehis own words. He's a very nice gentleman, and so--so--I said what Idid. "

"You let him go through the house?"

"He had that right. It was his mother's home, wasn't it?"

"Yet you didn't want me to go through. "

"A relative is different. "

"Nevertheless, I think I'll take a look around, now he has gone, "returned Adam Adams. 

To this the woman felt she could no longer object and the policemanmerely shrugged his shoulders. From the pair the detective learnedthat the safe had been opened by an expert in the presence of thecoroner and chief of police, who had then had the combination set tosuit themselves. 

A tour of the mansion brought nothing new to light and Adam Adams leftby the back way and walked down to the brook. Then he leaped thestream and took to a narrow path leading through the woods beyond. Deep in the woods he paused, to make several changes in his appearance, putting on a light wig and blue goggles and also an old-fashionedcollar and necktie. Then he rubbed a little brown powder on his handsand face, rendering his complexion several shades darker than ordinary, From a map of the county he had studied the surrounding roadsthoroughly, and soon came out on a highway leading to Matlock Styles'residence. He was more than ever interested in the Englishman andwondered what John Watkins, Tom Ostrello and Styles might have incommon. 

In the distance he presently beheld a house he knew must be the Stylesplace. There was a turn in the road and instead of going up to thehouse by the front way the detective leaped a fence and passed througha wheatfield. Beyond this, and quite close to the house and theout-buildings, was a field planted with corn, between the rows of whichwere pumpkins and squashes. 

He had hoped to gain the vicinity of the residence without beingobserved, as it was now growing darker, but he was not yet halfwaythrough the cornfield when the deep baying of a mastiff burst upon hisear, coming nearer and nearer. 

"Hullo! this is something I didn't bargain for, " he muttered. He didnot wish to shoot a valuable dog and at the same time he did not intendto run the risk of being bitten and perhaps torn to pieces. 

He halted and drew his pistol, and a second later the dog burst intoview. He was a full-blooded mastiff and a magnificent creature inevery way. He came to a halt and showed his teeth, and presently hismate also appeared. 

"Back there!" cried the detective. "Back, I say!" But the dogs onlycame closer, baying loudly and eying him in anything but a friendlyfashion. 

"Hi, there, Nelson!" came a voice from the other side of the cornfield. "Hi, Queen, what's the matter?"

"Call off your dogs, unless you want me to shoot them!" exclaimed AdamAdams. 

"Blast you, don't you shoot my dogs, " was the answer, and in a momentmore Matlock Styles put in an appearance. He carried a dog-whip andmotioned the animals away. "Back, Nelson, you bloody brute! Back, Queen!" And both animals slunk to his rear. 

"Thanks! I am glad you came, " said Adam Adams, and slipped his pistolback into his pocket. 

"Are you?" sneered the Englishman. "If you had killed one of thosedogs you would have gotten into a mess, I can warrant. They are wortha hundred pounds--five hundred dollars--each. "

"Great smoke! I'm glad I didn't touch 'em, sir. I couldn't pay forone leg, " and the detective grinned. 

"What are you doing in this field?"

"I thought I'd take a short-cut to the Knoxbury road. It's gettinglate and I want to get back to the tavern there. "

"The Knoxbury road? Why, man, you're a good three miles out of yourbloomin' way. The Knoxbury road isn't this way--it's over there, " andMatlock Styles pointed with his whip. 

"Is that so? Then I'm twisted. Too bad! I'm so dog tired I can'twalk much further either. "

"Been taking a constitutional?"

"That and I walked over to look at the place where that double murdertook place. Awful crime that, eh? Made me shiver just to look at thehouse. I suppose you've heard about it?"

"Yes, everybody knows about it around here. "

"They say the man's daughter did it. "

"If she did, they ought to string her up for it, " growled MatlockStyles. "Such a blasted, cold-blooded crime as that was. Was you tothe inquest?"

"No. "

"Our coroner got her to rights. He's a sharp one. "

While the two were talking they were walking towards the house, whichwas a pretentious affair but closed up on one side. They halted near aside porch. 

"If I am three or four miles from the Knoxbury road I'd like to getsomething to eat and rest a bit before I start out again, " said thedetective. "Could you supply me with a bite? I'm willing to paywhatever's fair. "

"I fancy so, " answered the Englishman, after a slight hesitation, during which he eyed Adam Adams keenly. "Polly!" he called, and an oldwoman, with a wrinkled face and a tangle of gray hair appeared, holdinga cup in one hand and a towel in the other. 

"What are ye wantin' now, Mat?" she croaked. 

"Here's a gentleman has lost his way. He wants a bite to eat before hestarts again. Fix him up some sandwiches and some milk, and whateverelse you have handy that's good. Where is Paul?"

"Gone to town. "

"And Fred?"

"Gone to see the Garrison girl. "

The woman disappeared from view, and a moment later Matlock Styles andAdam Adams entered the dining room of the abode. 

CHAPTER XX

A QUEER TURN OF AFFAIRS

The detective felt that he was on delicate as well as dangerous ground. Nothing had been said to arouse his suspicions but he could feel byinstinct that the Englishman was growing distrustful of him. 

"Take off your coat, it's bloomin' warm in here, " said Matlock Styles, as he proceeded to shed his outer garment. 

"Thanks, but I'd just as soon keep my coat on, " was the answer. "I amused to it. Fine farm you have here. "

"Pretty fair. "

"Raise much grain?"

"Only for the stock. I deal mostly in horses and in fancy dogs. "

"I used to own a fancy dog myself, " said Adam Adams smoothly andmentioned the fine points. The Englishman seemed to warm up to thissubject and spoke of the many dogs he had, and of the prices some hadbrought him. In the midst of the conversation a lunch was brought inand the detective sat down to eat. Then with great care Adam Adamsbrought the talk around once more to the Langmore tragedy. But MatlockStyles at once grew cold. 

"The girl did it, " he reaffirmed. "They have her cornered. It won'tbe possible for her to clear herself, even with the best lawyers in thecountry. "

"Do they suspect anybody else?"

"I think not. By the way, did you say you were at the house?"

"Oh, I walked around the place, that's all. I saw a policeman on guardthere. "

"Anybody else?"

"No. "

"Did you come across the stream?" asked the Englishman quickly. 

"Yes. I thought it was a short cut, but I got left. "

"You came right from the brook to my place?"

"Well, not exactly. I got tangled up in the woods before I got on thepath that brought me here. "

"See anything strange around the Langmore house--any tracks or anythinglike that?"

"Why do you ask that? I thought you were sure Miss Langmore wasguilty. "

"So I am, but a fellow makes some bloomin' mistakes sometimes. I amnot interested very much though, " continued Matlock Styles, and gave ayawn. 

"I saw nothing out of the ordinary. There were a good many footprints. "

"Running this way?"

"Running every way, I thought. What kind of a man was this BarryLangmore?"

"A fairly good sort. He wanted everything that was coming to him, andso did his wife. She was a tartar and so was the girl. I shouldn'thave wanted to live in the house with them. "

At that moment another man appeared at the doorway. 

"Hullo! got company?" he called out. 

"Not exactly, Bart, " answered Matlock Styles. "Excuse me for amoment, " he continued, to the detective, and passed out of the room andto the kitchen with the newcomer. 

He was gone for several minutes and during that time Adam Adamsfinished his lunch and took a good look at the room he occupied. Therewas nothing unusual about the apartment and his survey was finishedbefore the Englishman returned. 

"Now I think I'll pay you and be on my way, " said Adam Adams, rising. There seemed to be no excuse for his lingering longer. "How much do Iowe you?"

"Not a blasted farthing. "

"Then I am much obliged. Will you have a smoke?" and Adam Adams handedforth a couple of choice Havana cigars. 

"I don't know as I care to smoke, Mr. --You didn't give me your name. "

"Robert Dixon. And yours?"

"Matlock Styles. I don't care to smoke. "

"Bart!"

At the call the other man came in from the kitchen. To his surpriseAdam Adams saw that he carried a rope in one hand and a pistol in theother. He was followed by the mastiff Nelson. 

"Don't you dare to stir, you bloody rascal!" went on Matlock Styles tothe detective. 

"Why, what's the matter now?" queried Adam Adams. The turn of affairspuzzled him not a little. 

"You'll soon see what's the matter, " said the man called Bart. 

"I must say I don't understand you. "

"Maybe you'll understand when you are a prisoner, " put in MatlockStyles. 

"A prisoner? What for?"

"You know well enough. "

"I am entirely in the dark. See here, is this a hold-up?"

"Yes, for we are going to hold you up, you bloody villain, " said theEnglishman, with a chuckle. "Don't dare to resist, or it will be theworse for you, " and he drew a pistol from his pocket. 

"But what does it mean?"

"It means that I have found you out. You are the murderer of Mr. AndMrs. Langmore. "

"What!"

For the instant Adam Adams was truly surprised. It was such a turn ofaffairs as he had not anticipated. He looked at Matlock Styles keenly. Could the Englishman really mean what he said? He certainly appearedsincere enough. 

"You have made a great mistake, sir, " said the detective. "I knownothing more of the murders than I have already related. "

"I think differently, my fine fellow. "

"What makes you imagine I am guilty?"

"Never mind that now. "

"Why, I can prove an _alibi_. "

"Then you'll have to prove it, and a bloody strong one too, before Ilet you go. I've seen you sneaking around before. That's a wig youare wearing. Bart, bind him, and do it bloomin' tight, too. "

"I'll do it tight enough, " answered the other man, pocketing hispistol. "Hold out your hands, " he went on to the detective. 

Adam Adams looked around to see if there was some means of escape. Buthe realized that between the two men and the somewhat savage mastiff hewas squarely cornered. 

"I suppose I'll have to submit, " he said. "But let me tell you thatyou are making a big mistake and it will cost you dear if you make mesubmit to this indignity. I'll sue you for a good round sum. "

At this Matlock Styles winced. Evidently he was one who did not liketo have his pocketbook touched. But then he stiffened again. 

"I am willing to run the risk. Go ahead, Bart. "

Adam Adams was compelled to hold out his hands and to his astonishment, not to say chagrin, his arms and also his legs were tightly bound. 

"Going to search him?" asked the fellow called Bart. 

"Of course, " answered Matlock Styles and went through the detective'spockets one after the other. Fortunately Adam Adams had but littlewith him outside of a roll of bankbills and the material for severaldisguises. Matlock Styles allowed him to keep his money but placed thedisguises on the table. 

"That looks as if you were an honest man, " said he with a sneer. "Honest men don't go around in this fashion. You're the man, beyond abloody doubt, and I am going to hand you over to the police. Nelson!"

At the call the mastiff came up and looked inquiringly at his master. 

"Sit down in that chair, " continued the Englishman to Adam Adams, shoving him backward on a seat. "Now, Nelson, watch him. Watch him, old boy. Don't let him get up. " And the dog growled In response. 

The Englishman then motioned to the other man, and the pair went outtogether, closing the door after them. Listening, the detective hearda murmur of voices in the kitchen of the house and then all becamequiet. 

Adam Adams was angry, and that anger was directed entirely at himself. In the easiest possible manner he had allowed himself to be outwittedand exposed. 

Could the Englishman be honest in what he said, or was he playing adeep game? That was a question which could not as yet be answered. Ifthe fellow was honest he was most likely now getting ready to take hisprisoner to the Sidham lockup. The absurdity of such a move compelledAdam Adams to smile bitterly. 

To escape was out of the question. He could not slip from the cordswhich bound him, and at his slightest move the mastiff growled andshowed an inclination to leap at his throat. So the detectiveconsidered discretion the better part of valor and remained quiet. 

It was fully an hour before Matlock Styles returned. He was alone andcarried a lantern on his arm, for it was now dark outside. 

"I can't take you to town to-night, " he said. "I am going to keep youhere until morning. "

"You haven't any right to keep me at all. "

"I'll risk that. I'll make you comfortable, don't you fear. "

Adam Adams thought rapidly. Perhaps to remain a prisoner at thefarmhouse would be better than to be taken to town. During the nighthe might get the opportunity to escape. 

Matlock Styles untied the end of the rope which bound the detective'slegs and ordered the prisoner to follow him. 

"And don't try to run away, unless you want Nelson to make a meal ofyou, " he added grimly. 

"Where are you going to take me?"

"You'll soon see. "

The Englishman led the way out of the farmhouse and past the barn andseveral other out-buildings. Then he took to a path leading to theriver and presently came to a halt in front of an old deserted mill. The building was dark and forbidding, and an owl, hooting in a nearbytree, added to the loneliness of the situation. 

"I don't understand this, " said the detective, as Matlock Styles cameto a halt. 

The Englishman did not answer. Instead, he set down his lantern andproceeded to bind the detective's legs once more. His manner was nowrough and he acted as if he was somewhat desperate. He shoved open adoor to the mill and peered around inside. Then he stepped back, puthis lantern over his arm and caught Adam Adams up by the middle andthrew the detective over his shoulder as if his prisoner were a log ofwood. 

There was no use arguing and Adam Adams did not attempt it. Indeed, hewas rather curious to see what the fellow would do next. MatlockStyles entered the old mill and then descended a flight of stone steps. Below was a sort of cellar, damp and musty. Crossing the cellar theEnglishman opened an iron door in a brick wall and literally threw AdamAdams into the inky darkness beyond. 

"Now stay there until I get ready to take you to jail, " cried the man. 

He banged the heavy iron door shut and bolted it. The next instant thedetective heard him cross the cellar. He mounted the stairs, bangedthe door above; and all became quiet. 

CHAPTER XXI

CLOSE TO DEATH

For several seconds after being forced into the darkness beyond theiron door Adam Adams stood perfectly still. He heard Matlock Styles goupstairs and was fairly well satisfied that the Englishman had left theold mill. 

"That man has something up his sleeve as sure as fate, " murmured thedetective to himself. "He is playing a game, and a deep one, too. "

The darkness was absolute, and although he strained his eyes to theutmost he could not see a single thing surrounding him. To allappearances he was in a veritable dungeon. 

He sat down on the cement floor, and bending forward, managed, aftermuch labor, to loosen the rope around his legs with his teeth. Then hebegan to twist and turn at the rope which held his arms and presentlythat also came away. His efforts lacerated his wrists and ankles, butto the pain he paid no attention. 

With caution he moved around until his hands came in contact with astone wall. He paused for a moment and then moved along the wall, feeling carefully, so that he might not miss any opening which mightpresent itself, and keeping one hand in front of him, so that he mightnot run into anything. 

The wall was smooth and apparently solid. Suddenly he put out his footand stepped upon nothing but air. He tried to draw back, but it wastoo late, and with a cry that could not be suppressed he went down intopitch-black space. He struck on some sharp rocks, and then his sensesforsook him. 

The fall was a perilous one and it was only by good luck that AdamAdams did not have his brains dashed out. As it was he remainedunconscious for fully half an hour, and came to his senses to find alarge lump on his head and the blood flowing over his face. His leftshoulder was lame and for the time being he was afraid it was broken. 

The rocks upon which he had fallen rested in several inches of water, and with this water he washed off the blood and bathed his hurts asbest he could in the darkness. 

The mishap made him reach but one conclusion. Matlock Styles hadplaced him there so that he might injure if not kill himself!

"The rascal!" muttered the detective. "If I ever get out of here heshall suffer for this if for nothing else!"

It took him some time to pull himself together and get his breath. Then he felt around cautiously, being careful to take no more stepsuntil he was sure of his footing. 

In a quarter of an hour he knew he was a prisoner in a circular cisternperhaps twelve feet in diameter and of uncertain depth. The walls wereperpendicular, smooth and covered with slime, so to crawl up wastotally out of the question. 

"A pretty fix to be in, " he mused. "If Styles had wanted to kill andbury me he couldn't have started out better. Ha! What's that?" Helistened and then smiled grimly to himself. "Rats. I suppose thereare scores of them around this place. I must see to it that they don'tget a chance to feed upon my body!"

What was the best way to get out? For some minutes the detectivestudied the situation. In one of his pockets he had stuffed the ropetaken from his legs, thinking it might come in handy in some way. Hemade a small loop at one end of this rope and threw it upward a dozentimes or more. At last it caught on something and held fast. 

Being on guard, in case he might fall backward, Adam Adams pulledhimself up on the rope. It had caught on a sharp stone close to thetop of the cistern and with an effort he drew himself to the flooringabove. 

"Thank Heaven for that, " he murmured. "I must steer clear of suchpitfalls in the future. If only I had a light!"

But his pocket light as well as his pistol had been taken from him. Whatever was to be done, must be accomplished in the darkness, and oncemore he set out on his tour of exploration, but this time with addedcaution. 

It was not long before he found a place where the cellar slopeddownward. At the end was a semi-circular opening, not unlike a hugedrain. 

"I'll follow this and see where it leads to, " he told himself, and wentahead a distance of thirty feet, when he found himself wading intowater that was fairly clean and sweet. 

"I must be close to the river now, " he reasoned. "I wonder if I canswim out to the stream?"

He hesitated for a minute and then resolved to make a dive for liberty. Down he went into the water and plunged along until he was over hishead. Then he struck out as well as circumstances permitted. It was atruly perilous thing to attempt, but the detective was on his mettleand desperate. 

Twenty feet were passed and then the force of the water seemed to drivehim upward. There was now no turning back, and holding his breath withdifficulty, he swam on and on, rising steadily until his head struck aniron obstruction. He put up his hands and found that it was a grating. Opening his eyes he made out that the grating was less than threeinches from the surface of the river. Beyond he could see the open skyand the stars shining brightly. 

With might and main he tried to push the grating aside. It refused tobudge, and he grew frantic, for his breath was fast leaving him. Itlooked as if he would be drowned like a rat in a trap. 

Desperately and with all of his remaining strength he threw himself atthe grating. It bent at one end and came loose. Then he made anotherattack and the grating dropped to one side and his body shot upward tothe surface of the river, out into the life-giving air. He gasped, spluttered, almost tumbled down again, and then staggered to the shore, which was close at hand. He had been under water less than threeminutes, yet the time had seemed an age. 

He sat on the grassy bank for a long time, trying to get back hisstrength and wondering what he had best do next. All was silent aroundhim, saving for the hooting of some owls and the occasional far-off cryof a whip-poor-will. He gazed around, but not a light was in sight. The old mill was beyond him, partly screened by a number of trees. 

Should he return to the vicinity of Matlock Styles' house and set awatch? This he thought a good idea, but there were two objections. Hewas wet to the skin and wanted some dry clothes, and he did not relishrunning into one or more of the Englishman's savage dogs, when he hadnothing with which to defend himself. 

As he sat there meditating, a stream of light shot across his feet andthen disappeared. It had come from an upper window of the old mill andhe scrambled to his feet to see what it meant. In a moment more he sawanother stream of light and then a curious white cloud floated up fromanother window of the mill. At the same time he heard loud groans andthen a hoarse note coming from what appeared to him to be a fog horn. The groans and the white vapor lasted for several minutes and then diedaway together. 

It was a most uncanny happening and made his heart beat a littlequicker than was its usual habit. Then of a sudden his face brightenedand he smiled to himself. 

"Make-believe ghosts and nothing more, " he mused. "I wonder who istrying to scare folks away from the old mill? Most likely it is thisMatlock Styles and it is part of another game of his. He must havegotten his idea from the old miser in the 'Chimes of Normandy, ' only heworks his ghostship a little differently. "

He was about to move forward when a sound reached his ears which causedhim to pause. A dog was approaching--one of the mastiffs he had metbefore. The animal growled ominously and would have attacked AdamAdams had not the detective leaped into the water and begun to swimaway. The dog halted on the edge of the bank, and then there seemednothing for the detective to do but to swim to the other side of theriver, which he did, and then disappeared into the bushes. 

"I think this investigation will keep--at least for to-night, " hereasoned. "I may as well get back to town, get some dry clothes, andgo to bed. "

His adventures had tired him and he was thoroughly exhausted by thetime he reached the Beechwood Hotel. Here he explained that he hadslipped into the river and readily obtained some dry garments, afterwhich he went to bed, sleeping soundly until sunrise. 

He obtained an early and substantial breakfast and then visited aclothing establishment for another suit of clothing and a hat. Fromthe clothing store he stepped into a drug shop, purchasing a number ofchemicals and also an atomizer. Then he visited a barber shop and gota close hair cut. 

At the post-office he received a letter, dropped by Charles Vapp theevening before. It was short and to the point:

"The man is keeping me on the jump. He went to see Matlock Styles andStyles threatened him with something again and Ostrello was greatlydisturbed. After that Ostrello sent a money-order to his brother Dickfor fifty dollars. He is now going to New York again and I shallfollow. "

This communication set Adam Adams to thinking once more. That TomOstrello and Matlock Styles had something in common there could be nodoubt. The question was, What?

As the detective was walking back to the hotel he saw Raymond Caseapproaching and went to meet the young man. 

"Oh, Mr. Adams, I am glad to meet you, " cried Raymond. "Have youlearned anything new?"

"A little but not a great deal. How is Miss Langmore this morning?"

Raymond drew a long sigh. 

"I do not think she is much better. She is more quiet, but--"

"She is not clear in her mind?"

"That's it. She is now thoroughly convinced that she is guilty. "

"And you do not believe her?"

"Of course not. I know she is innocent. Come now, honestly, don't youthink so yourself?"

"I do. "

"I knew it!" The young man's face brightened for an instant. 

"But it is going to be no easy thing to prove, " pursued the detective. "This crime was no simple matter. I am certain it was carefullyplanned and just as carefully executed. Those who committed it made itlook as simple as possible for a purpose. "

"And you are on the track?"

"I am on several tracks. I am not sure of the right one yet. "

"Do you think those counterfeits had anything to do with the crime?"

"Undoubtedly. You say Miss Langmore seems to be resting easier?"

"Slightly. "

"If it would not hurt, I should like to have a few words with her. "

"Then come along and we can ask the specialist I have called in fromNew York. "

Placing his purchases in the room at the hotel, Adam Adams accompaniedRaymond to Martha Sampson's residence. They found the nurse and thedoctor discussing the case, and the detective was introduced and hementioned the object of his visit. 

"It will do no harm to speak to Miss Langmore so long as you do notexcite her, " said the specialist. "But do not dwell on the subject ofthe murder too long. "

"I shall not mention the murder, " was the reply. 

When Adam Adams entered the sick room he found Margaret sitting up inbed with several pillows behind her head. She gazed at him inperplexity and then gave a slight shiver. 

"You--you have come to take me to prison, " she cried. 

"Not at all, Miss Langmore, " he answered, dropping into a chair by herside. "You shall never go to prison if I can prevent it. But I cameto see you about something else. Do you feel a bit stronger?"

"No, I feel very weak. What do you want to see me about, if not aboutthe--"

"Oh, I want to ask you about some of the men with whom your father didbusiness. "

"Didn't you ask me that before?"

"Perhaps I did. But I want you to give me all the information youpossibly can. "

"I will. "

"In the first place, you know Matlock Styles. "

"Why, yes, I know him fairly well. "

"He had some business dealings with your father. "

"Yes, he owed my father money on several mortgages. "

"Did they have any other business relations?"

"I think Mr. Styles had some interest in one of my father'spatents--or, at least he claimed an interest. He and my father hadsome differences of opinion in the matter. "

"Was the patent matter settled up?"

"I do not know, but I do not think so. "

"Can you tell me anything else about Mr. Styles?"

The girl hesitated and then a flush mounted to her face. "Yes, I can. I--I did not wish to speak of it before, yet I see no harm in doing so. About four months ago Mr. Styles asked me to marry him. I told him Icould not do so. He was very persistent and said he had more moneythan I imagined. I told him that that would make no difference, that Idid not love him and did not wish him to mention the matter again. "

"How did he take your refusal?"

"He was very bitter and overbearing. He said I had better think itover, and he hinted something about having my father in his power. Hedid not say it in just so many words but he hinted at it. "

"Did he mean about the patent?"

"No, I think it was something else. But I did not pay much attention, for I thought he was talking merely to get me to consider his suit, andI did not wish to consider it, for I had become acquainted withRaymond. "

"Did he ever bother you after that?"

"Only once, when I met him on the road. Then he asked me again, andsaid I'd be sorry some day if I refused him. "

"Humph!" Adam Adams mused for a moment. "Now to change the subject. When did Matlock Styles last call on your father?"

"He called several times last week. I don't know exactly when hecalled last. But I do know that my father was greatly excited oversomething, and that he called in my stepmother and she was excited, too. I was not told what it was about. "

"Well, to drop him, do you know a man named John Watkins, of Bryport?"

"Watkins? Yes, I do. He once called on my father, about the same timethat Mr. Styles called last. "

"Do you know why he called?"

"I do not. I thought it was about a patent. I learned that Mr. Watkins worked for the United States government and I thought it wasfor the patent office. "

"Then that is all, Miss Langmore. " The detective arose and held outhis hand. "Now take good care of yourself and do not worry. Mattersare bound to come out right in the end. "

"But how can they be better for me?" Margaret's face took on itsworried look again. "They have proved that I am guilty. "

"You are not guilty, " said Adam Adams firmly and looking her squarelyin the eyes. "You are not guilty. I say so, and I know. Do notworry. Rest quietly, and soon everything shall be made plain to you. "And then before she could answer he was gone. She sank back among thepillows, closed her eyes and heaved a sigh. 

"It cannot be!" she murmured. "It is too late! I am guilty! I amguilty!"

CHAPTER XXII

AN UNDERGROUND MYSTERY

Late that afternoon a burly negro, plainly dressed and wearing a slouchhat, made his way along the river road in the direction of the oldmill. He kept as much as possible in the shade of the bushes and treesand when close to the mill sank low in the tall grass, that he mightnot be seen by anyone who was passing. 

The negro was Adam Adams and his disguise was perfection itself. Thedetective was heavily armed and carried in his pockets several thingswhich were unusual to him. 

He waited around the old mill until the sun went down and the starsbegan to come out one by one. No one was in sight, but this did notruffle him. He was ready to play a waiting game and take whatever wasto come, even at the risk of his life. 

Presently he heard a whistle at a distance. Then a man appeared whomhe rightfully took to be the fellow called Bart. This individualpassed up and down the road near the mill and also came down to thewater's edge, to gaze at the footpath on the other side of the river. The man had the mastiff Queen with him and the dog came within ahundred feet of where Adam Adams was in hiding. Quickly the detectivepulled a large atomizer from his pocket. Then, as the man walked backto the Styles' farmhouse, the dog turned and disappeared in the bushesas if following a trail. 

"Don't come here, old lady, " muttered the detective, as he stood onguard, with the atomizer ready for use. "If you do you'll be sorry. "

The mastiff was following Adam Adams' trail and in a minute more shecame up and set up a fierce growl. Then she made a savage leap forward. 

The detective might have finished her with a shot from his pistol, forhe was an expert marksman. But he had come prepared to strike a blowwithout making any noise. As the mastiff sprang at him, he held theatomizer at full length and let a portion of the contents fly full intothe animal's face. There was a snarl and a gasp and the magnificentcanine fell over on her side. Leaping forward, the detective held theatomizer at the dog's nostrils and used it vigorously for a fewseconds. It was more than sufficient for his purpose and soon theanimal stiffened out in death. 

"It's a shame to kill so fine a brute, but it can't be helped, " hemuttered as he restored the atomizer to his pocket. He had used amixture of chloroform, carbolic acid and other drugs, and the dog hadbeen blinded as well as smothered by the application. 

He left the mastiff where she had fallen and, as the darknessincreased, drew closer to the mill. Then he saw a man approaching andrecognized Matlock Styles. The Englishman entered the old mill, closing the door carefully behind him. 

"More ghost work, I suppose, " murmured the detective, but he wasmistaken, no such manifestations occurring. Evidently they were totake place later. 

Without making a sound he crawled up to a side door of the old mill. It was unfastened, and pushing it open, he entered the lower floor ofthe building. All was silent. 

He waited and after awhile heard a step overhead and a low murmur ofvoices. Then a man came down a narrow stairs, carrying a pole, a whitesheet and a round, flat pan in which evidently something had been burnt. 

"Looks like the ghost outfit, " thought Adam Adams, as he crouched downbehind some empty boxes and bins. 

The fellow was tall, broad-shouldered and powerful looking, and AdamAdams felt certain he was not Matlock Styles. He wore a thin white bagover his head, with two holes for seeing purposes, and in one handcarried a flash lantern. 

To the detective matters seemed to be growing tremendously interesting. 

The man placed the things he carried in a closet partly filled withrubbish. Then he flashed his light around carefully. Adam Adams gotdown out of sight and placed his hand on the butt of his pistol. Hewas resolved to take no more risks than were absolutely necessary. 

Presently the light was lowered, and taking a peep Adam Adams saw theman kneeling down and tugging away at an iron ring in the floor. Soona trapdoor came up, and the man, taking up his lantern, disappearedfrom view, closing the trapdoor behind him. 

The detective waited for several minutes and then stole forward in theutter darkness. He had measured the distance perfectly and found theiron ring with ease. He pulled upon it gently but firmly and raisedthe secret door several inches. 

A look below showed nothing but darkness. He strained his ears, andheard a faint noise at a distance but could not determine whether itwas the flowing of the river over the stones or something else. 

He got out his pistol and examined it with care, to make certain thatit was ready for use. Then, with a quick motion, he threw up thetrapdoor, dropped below, and closed the opening above him. 

He felt as does a lion tamer stepping into a cage of beasts new to him. He realized that he was on the verge of some important discovery, butthat this investigation might cost him his life. 

He was on a narrow staircase. There were but ten steps and then hefound himself between two stone walls with the roof just above hishead. Not caring to take another drop into the unknown, he advancedslowly, taking no step until he was sure of it. 

Presently he came to a turn and then another. He could now see a lightshining ahead, coming from under a heavy wooden door. The barrier wastightly closed. He tried it softly, to find it fastened on the otherside. 

There was a strange whirr and a clicking in the apartment beyond, as ifsome machinery was in motion. But then came a loud voice and the othersounds stopped. By getting down on his hands and knees Adam Adams wasenabled to hear nearly all that was said in the place beyond the barreddoor. 

"I will listen to reports, " said a voice which sounded much like thatof Matlock Styles. "Number One, have you performed the ghostlymanifestations?"

"I have, chief, " was the answer. 

"Did you notice anything unusual?"

"A boy and a girl on the other side of the river ran away as if the OldNick were after them. "

"Anything else?"

"No, but it's Number Three's turn after tonight. "

"Very well; Number Three, take notice of that. Number Two, there arebut six of you here to-night. What of the other two?"

"A note was left at the foot of the tree. They could not come, for onehad business in New York and the other business in New Haven. "

"Very well. Number Three, what of the goods you shipped toPhiladelphia day before yesterday?"

"I have a telegram that it was safely received and payment will be madeto-morrow. "

"How much?"

"Two thousand dollars. "

"That is fine. We are doing better than we did. "

"I'll try to get more next time. "

"Do so by all means. The more we get the better off we shall be andthe sooner we can retire. Number Four, what have you to report?"

"I haven't heard from Albany yet. I think I'll hear to-morrow. "

"What have you to say, Number Five?"

"I met my man last night. He won't touch the stuff--says it is toorisky. "

"Humph! What does he expect? A fortune for nothing? What have you tosay, Number Six?"

"I got a long letter from Denver. The man out there will take twentythousand dollars' worth at fifteen per cent. "

"Didn't you tell him our rate was twenty-five per cent. ?"

"I did, but he won't bite at that figure. He says he will goelsewhere. "

"Where can he go?"

"He didn't say, but he swears he can get the goods. "

"Not as good as ours. However, let him have the stuff at fifteen percent. For the present. "

There was a pause. "Now, has anybody got anything to say?"

"I have, " spoke up the man called Number Three. "I say we must becareful. That tragedy at the Langmore house has brought a lot ofdetectives to this vicinity. "

"Yes, I know that. One of them came over to the farm, " answered theleader, and now Adam Adams was sure he was Matlock Styles. 

"Came to the farm? What did you say to him?"

"I put him off the track. He will never bother us again, to my way ofthinking. "

"That's sure?" asked another of the men. 

"Bloody sure. "

"We must make certain--" began another of the number, when a noiseoutside of the door caused an interruption. 

So interested had Adam Adams become in the conversation that he had notnoticed the advance of two burly men upon him and he was not aware oftheir presence until one pounced on his back and made him a prisoner. 

"What's the row out there?" came from within the room. 

"A spy, boys! Open the door and help capture him!"

Instantly there was wild confusion. The door was flung open and sevenmen poured forth, each armed, and all wearing the white head coverings, such as has already been described. 

It was a battle of one man against nine and the space was so small thatAdam Adams could not turn himself. He drew his pistol, but while oneman held his wrist another wrenched the weapon from his grasp. Thenthe detective went down and was severely kicked and pummelled, until toresist further was out of the question. 

"He ought to be killed!" cried one man. 

"That's right, kill him!" put in several. 

"No! no! not yet. We must question him first, " said another. 

The band surrounded Adam Adams and several pistols were leveled at hishead as he arose. 

"It's funny how the nigger got down here--" began one of the men. 

"Nigger?" broke in another. "He is no nigger. See how the black hasrubbed off his face. "

The men stepped closer and then one of them gave a start. 

"It's the same man!" he cried excitedly. He turned to another. "Ithought you said--"

"I did, " was the agitated answer. "There's a bloomin' mystery here. He couldn't get out! He was bound and the door was locked--I locked itmyself. "

"Go and make sure. "

Matlock Styles, for it was he, ran from the room and was gone severalminutes. When he came back he was more disturbed than ever. 

"You are right, he is gone!" he gasped. "Can this be the same man?"He made another examination of Adam Adams. "Yes, you are right. Well, he shall not get away again!" he added, significantly. 

CHAPTER XXIII

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MARGARET

"Tom, I tell you the best you can do is to make a clean breast of itand get Uncle Adam to help you. "

It was Letty Bernard who spoke and she addressed Tom Ostrello. The twowere seated on a bench in the park, where they had gone to talk mattersover without fear of interruption or of being overheard. Theconversation had lasted over two hours, and in that time the girl hadlearned many of the young man's secrets, and in return had told him afew things which had astonished and disturbed him. 

He was much downcast and with good reason. For the past month manythings had gone wrong with him. The one bright spot had been Lefty'slove for him, pure and strong, helping him to carry his burdens. 

"That's an easy thing to say, Letty, " he answered. "But it is not suchan easy thing to do. Poor Dick is deep enough in the mud as it is, andit will not be to my credit to mention my connection with MatlockStyles. "

"Yes, but Tom, you--you--Oh, how can I explain? Can't you trust mewhen I tell you that I am speaking for your own good? I--I know manythings of which you are ignorant. "

"Then why don't you tell me, Letty? Is it fair for you to keep silent?"

"No, but then you must remember that I am Mr. Adams' private clerk, andhe is working on this case in the interests of Miss Langmore. "

"I know he is working for her and I hope he clears her. I alwaysthought she was a pretty nice kind of a girl, and I can't believe thatshe is guilty. "

"Tom, did you ever imagine they would think you were guilty?" and shegazed at him earnestly, as If to search his very soul. 

He started. 

"Me? Why--why should anybody imagine I was guilty? It's--it's out ofall reason. " He drew a quick breath. "Letty, do you mean to insinuatethat Mr. Adams imagines--"

"You mustn't ask me questions, Tom. But think over what you have toldme--of that letter your brother Dick wrote asking for money, and howyou visited the house on the very morning of the murder to get themoney, and how Mr. Langmore took the letter from your mother and toreit in half, and the scene afterwards. "

"Yes, I know. But--"

"And then think of the way by which Mr. Langmore and your mother died. Killed by a curious poison, something that they inhaled, which, whenthe doctor got a whiff of it, gave him cramps in the stomach--a curiousdrug not generally known to medical science, a drug--"

He caught her by the wrist and looked fearfully, frightfully, into herface. 

"Letty! My God!"

A short silence followed and she saw that he was thinking, deeply, swiftly. The cold perspiration stood out on his forehead but he didnot appear to notice it. He dropped her wrist and his hand fell as ifmade of stone. 

"Now you understand, Tom. I--I am speaking for I--I--want you to clearyourself. "

"Then it has gone as far as this?" He gave a groan. "It was thatdrug--Letty, are you sure they have found out about that drug?"

"Yes, but do not say I said so. "

"That drug is accursed--a Chinese student told me so. I laughed at himthen, but now I believe it. The first time I carried it around with meI was wrecked in a railroad accident and had my arm hurt. Then, twoweeks later, when I had it with me, I got caught in that hotel fire inBuffalo. After that a vial once broke on me and if I hadn't gottenaway in a hurry I should have been smothered. And now--"

"Have you carried any of It lately?"

"No, not for a month. I was afraid of it, and so was the firm. We gotrid of it, and I was glad of it. " He bit his lip meditatively. "Andthey think--they suspect--that that drug was used? It may be. "

"Cannot you trace where the drug went to, Tom?"

"That might be possible, although a good many people saw and heard ofit while our firm handled it. "

"Was any of it sold or used in the vicinity of Sidham?"

"No, but--" The young commercial traveler stopped short. "Ithink--But no, it can't be. And yet--"

"What, Tom?" she asked eagerly. 

He shook his head. "What's the use? It would only drag me into themud deeper. I really can't see what's to do, " he went on withsomething of anguish in his tones. 

"I am certain the very best thing you can do is to go to Uncle Adam andtell him everything. He will help you and clear up this great mystery. "

"But he is working for Margaret. "

"Yes, but I know he will work for you--after he has heard your story. But you must tell him everything. "

"Where is he now?"

"Somewhere around your mother's home, or in Sidham, I think. I canfind out for you, "

"Very well, I will go to him and ask him if he is willing to side withme as well as with Margaret. But watt, I think I'll go and seeMargaret first. You can send word to Mr. Adams that I want to see him. Tell him I will be at the Beechwood Hotel. He can send me a messagethere. Tell him I can clear up some points which may seem queer tohim. "

"I will, Tom, " Letty looked much relieved. "Oh, I am sure he will helpyou! He has never yet failed to accomplish anything he has undertaken!"

An hour later saw Tom Ostrello on his way to Sidham. His face wascareworn and he looked to be ten years older than he had a week before. He was in a thoughtful mood and scarcely looked out of the car windowas the train rushed onward to its destination. 

Arriving at the town, he speedily learned that Margaret had been takento the home of Martha Sampson and was said to be in a serious if notdangerous state. This caused him to halt, and he was half inclined togive up the idea of interviewing her, "It will only make her condition worse, " he mused. "And, poor girl, she seems to have suffered more than her share already. Perhaps I hadbetter wait until I hear from Adam Adams. "

But then he determined to learn exactly how she was, anyway, and turnedhis footsteps toward the cottage, which stood on a side street of thetown, backed up by a patch of woods leading to the river. He was justin sight of the place when he heard a cry, and a man came running outof the cottage, followed by a woman and a policeman. 

"Where is she? Where is she?" cried the man, and Tom Ostrellorecognized Raymond Case. 

"Hullo! What's up?" queried the commercial traveler. 

"Margaret! She is gone!" cried Raymond. He ran back of the house. "Ican't see anything of her!" he added with a groan. 

"Margaret gone? I thought she was sick. "

"So she is. She was out of her mind and slipped out of her room whilethe nurse went downstairs for some broth. I was in the parlor writinga letter. "

"And I was on guard in the hallway, " put in the policeman. "She didn'tpass me, that I'll swear to. "

"I was only gone a few minutes, " said the nurse. "And I am sure shedid not go through the kitchen. "

"How long ago was this?" asked Tom Ostrello. 

"Only a few minutes ago. Oh, we must find her, " answered Raymond. "Ifshe wanders off in her present state of mind there is no telling whatwill happen to her. "

The four scattered, and a vigorous search was instituted for themissing girl. Soon the news spread and the chief of police camehurrying to the scene. 

"Collins, you are responsible for this escape, " said he sternly to thepoliceman. 

"I did the best I could, sir, " was the nervous answer. "She was thatsick, sir, I didn't think she could get out of bed, much less walk off. "

"Perhaps she is hiding in the house. "

The building was searched from cellar to garret, and so were severalother buildings in that vicinity, but without avail. Then thegathering crowd scattered through the woods and along the river. 

"I don't believe she was as sick as they pretended, " said one of thenumber. "This is only a bluff to let her get away. I said all alongshe was a sly one. "

"Perhaps she pulled the wool over the doctor's eyes, " came fromanother. "And over the eyes of that young fellow who's in love withher, too. "

Raymond heard some of these remarks and they made his face burn. Helonged to knock some of the speakers down, but held his temper in checkas best he could. He realized that no argument he might advance wouldmake an impression where opinions were so set. 

Tom Ostrello joined in the search as diligently as the rest, and he andRaymond ran through the woods from end to end several times. Then theyprocured a boat and rowed up and down the river, and crossed over tothe other side. 

"She could not have gone far, " said Raymond. "Her strength was notequal to it. "

It was dark by the time they came back to the river, to cross to thetown side. As they rowed along, slowly and silently, Tom Ostrellonoticed something floating on the water. He steered toward the objectand picked it up. It was a girl's summer hat. 

"Margaret's hat!" cried Raymond. He dropped his oar and his faceturned as white as death. "I know the truth now! She has drownedherself in the river!"

CHAPTER XXIV

ONE AGAINST MANY

Surrounded by his enemies, Adam Adams stood in the center of the stoneroom under the old mill, speculating upon what was to happen next. Hesaw that the men were thoroughly aroused and ready for any crime. Although all were masked by the hoods over their heads, each showed hisrage and temper by his movements and his tone of voice. 

"Well, now you are in our power, what have you to say for yourself?"came from Matlock Styles, after a pause. 

"What do you want me to say?" returned the detective. "You have thebest of the game just now, so it would seem. "

"You're right--and we mean to keep it; eh, boys?"

"That's so, " answered several. 

"As a spy, he must suffer the fate of a spy, " put in one of the number. 

"Unless he consents to join us, " added another. 

"I'd never trust this bloody rascal, " broke in Matlock Styles. "He'stoo sharp for us. He's a detective. "

"If you don't mind telling, what is your business down here, MatlockStyles?" asked Adam Adams. He thought it best to put on a bold front, even with matters looking as black as they did. 

"Ha! So you think you know me?" questioned the Englishman harshly. 

"Of course, I know you. "

"Well--it don't matter much--now, " was the significant return. 

"Are you transacting business down here?"

"Don't you know?"

"I do not. "

"In that case, it's best to keep you ignorant. "

"That's right, don't tell him a thing, " came from one of the men whohad first caught the detective. 

"I want to know why you followed me up?" continued Matlock Styles. "You'll find it to your interest to answer me. "

"I might answer as you have done and say it is best to keep you inignorance. But I won't do it. I followed you up because I think youwere connected with the Langmore murders. "

At this Matlock Styles started, but quickly recovered. 

"What made you think that?"

"Certain things I discovered around the mansion. "

"Bah! That shows how you detectives often miss it. I was not near theLangmore house when the murders were committed. "

"You can prove that?" questioned Adam Adams curiously. 

"Of course I can. I was over to Stony Hill with my team, doing sometrading. I stopped at the tavern and at the hardware store, and hadquite a chat with several people there. I left home at eight o'clockin the morning and didn't get back until one o'clock in the afternoon. If you had taken the trouble you could easily have found out that whatI have told you is the truth. "

"You can prove that you were at Stony Hill from ten to twelve thatmorning?"

"I can easily do it. You can ask Doc Mason, at the hardware shop, SamRoss at the tavern, and Dick Stout at the stables, besides a dozenothers. Why, I was even talking to Mr. Anderson, the minister. He isthinking of buying a horse from me. "

"That detective ain't going to prove anything, " broke in one of the men. 

"That's right, " came from another. "He has got to take his medicine asa spy. "

"Of course, " said Matlock Styles. "I only wanted to satisfy hiscuriosity. Maybe he'll die feeling easier now. "

His cold-blooded way of speaking made a chill run down Adam Adams'backbone. He was beginning to see the Englishman in a new light. Theman was a master of deception, not as clumsy in thought and action ashe assumed to be. And he was as heartless as a stone. 

"Would you murder me?" asked the detective. 

"It is the rule of our order that no man who acts the spy on us shallget away to tell of what he has discovered. How did you get away afterI put you in that other room in the dark?"

"It was an easy trick. "

"Won't you explain?"

"I might, but it would hinder my getting away in the present instance. "

"You'll not get away again, never fear. "

"Perhaps he didn't come alone!" exclaimed one of the other men. "Hemay have others with him, and they may have helped him to escape in thefirst place. "

"He was alone when he came to the farm, " answered the Englishman. Andthen he added:

"Bind him, and Number Three and Number Four shall remain on guard towatch him. "

"Where shall we take him?" questioned Number Four. 

"Take him to the last chamber. But blindfold him first. He has seenenough already. "

In a moment Adam Adams was seized and bound in such a fashion that hecould scarcely move a hand or a foot. Then a bag was placed over hishead, with the eye-holes to the back, so that he could see absolutelynothing. He was led away, through a door opposite to the one he hadentered and along a stone passageway. When the party came to a haltthey were in a stone chamber, not over twelve feet square. Here thedetective was tied fast to a ring in the wall and the two men sat downon a bench to guard him, lighting pipes and smoking in the meanwhile. 

"Are you going to keep me blindfolded?" asked the detective. 

"We are, " was the surly response. 

"For how long?"

"Until we get orders to do otherwise. "

"Matlock Styles is your master, is he?"

"He is our chief. But you needn't to ask any questions about him. "

"I don't intend to, but if you'll take this off my head I'll tell yousomething worth knowing, " went on Adam Adams smoothly. 

"Is this a game?" growled the fellow, known as Number Three. "Becauseif it is, I warn you it won't work. We've got pistols and we canshoot. "

"How can I play any game on you, tied up in this fashion? No, I wantto see a little and get more air--and I want to get square on MatlockStyles. "

The two guards consulted together and finally came to the conclusion toremove the head covering. The men had a lantern with them and oneglance around showed the detective to what a stronghold he had beenbrought. 

"Now, what have you got to say about Matlock?" asked one of the men. 

"You say he is your chief. Have you any idea as to whether he istreating you fairly?"

"Why do you ask that?"

"Well, perhaps it is nothing to me, but if I was taking the risks youtake I'd want all that was coming to me. "

"We get our share. "

"How do you know? I once exposed a gang of counterfeiters in Maine andI found that the chief, Bill Davidson, was getting the lion share ofthe returns. More than that, when the exposure came, Davidson triedhis best to get out of it by turning State's evidence. "

"And did he get out?" asked one of the men, becoming interested. 

"No, he did not. I would not allow it. I got two of the other men totell the truth, and Davidson got twenty years. "

"And what of the other men?"

"One got scared and ran away and the authorities let him slide. Theother man was not prosecuted. The rest of the gang, four of them, gotfrom five to twelve years each. "

"Are you a government detective?"

"Not exactly, although I occasionally work for the government. Here isanother thing I want you two fellows to know. The government has beenhot-footed after your counterfeits ever since they were first marketed. "

"Humph, they ain't found out much. "

"You are mistaken, they have found out a great deal. I am only at oneend of this game, and I must say I have put my foot into it bad. "

"That's right, " commented Number Three. He was a small-built man andevidently of a vicious temper. 

"I am sorry in more ways than one, " continued the detective, notappearing to notice the interruption. "I'd like to get out of thismess and get ahead of the other fellows working on this case. It wouldmean great credit to me and a big reward besides. The gang is bound tobe rounded up very soon now, and when one or two are caught they'lltell on the others. If I could get somebody to help me out of thisscrape, and put me next to the whole game, I'd pay him well and seethat he got out with a whole skin in the bargain. "

"Look here, you can't bribe me, so don't try it!" growled Number Three. "I'm in this game to a finish, see? I never got caught yet and I don'tintend to begin now. "

"All counterfeiters get caught sooner or later. "

Adam Adams directed his words especially to Number Four, a big-bonedyoung man, who was plainly nervous. The fellow fumbled with his pipebut made no reply. 

"I always help the man who helps me, " went on the detective. "And I amso well known in my profession that my word counts for a great deal. Ican save a man if he will only put his trust in me. I have done itmany a time. "

"Ah, I don't want to hear your fairy stories, " growled Number Three, but Number Four merely shrugged his shoulders, knocked his pipe cleanand restored the article to his pocket. 

The detective continued to talk, in a low and earnest manner. He wasreally pleading for his life, for he realized that it was not MatlockStyles' intention to let him escape again. As soon as thecounterfeiters were sure the coast was clear outside, they would turnagain to the prisoner and settle his fate. 

Thus an hour passed and then came a low whistle. A minute laterMatlock Styles entered the stone chamber. 

"We'll get to business again, " he said shortly. "We have no time tospare. "

"What are you going to do next?" asked Number Four, and Adam Adamsthought he detected a tremor in the tones. 

"We are going to draw lots as to who is to dispose of the prisoner. "

"How is he to be killed?" asked Number Three. 

"That can be decided by the man who draws the red ball, " was theEnglishman's cold-blooded response. 

CHAPTER XXV

IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY

"If I can't get away now I am doomed!"

It was Adam Adams who uttered the words in a low but firm voice. Hesat on a small bench, in the stone chamber. His feet were bound with arope and his hands were chained to a ring in the wall behind him. 

The counterfeiters had started to draw lots, to see who should be theone to do the detective to death. Then had come an interruption, inthe shape of an important message, and the detective had been bundledoff by himself, while the communication was under discussion. 

Adam Adams knew that his situation was a desperate one. Thecounterfeiters were a gang who would stop at nothing to keep theirsecrets. The only one who appeared to be at all timid was the fellowknown as Number Four. Possibly if he could get this fellow alone andwork on his feelings Number Four might aid him. But just now such acourse seemed out of the question. 

The detective listened attentively, but only a faint murmur of voicesreached his ears. The counterfeiters were having an animateddiscussion over something, but they were on their guard so that noteven their prisoner might hear. 

"Wonder why they are so careful?" mused the detective grimly. "If theyare going to take my life I don't see what difference it will makewhether I know their secrets or not. "

Adam Adams was not the man to give in easily. Upon every case wherehis services were called for, he usually "kept at it" until everypossibility was exhausted. He did not give in now, yet it must beconfessed, being but human, his heart was somewhat heavy. 

"I'll have to take chances, " he told himself. "Anything is better thanto let them kill me in cold blood. "

He waited for a few minutes, to find out if anybody was coming to watchhim. One of the counterfeiters came in, looked him over in silence, and then passed out again, this time closing the door more tightly thanbefore. 

As soon as the fellow had departed, Adam Adams commenced to work on hisbonds. He had studied all sorts of handcuffs, and knew well how tomanage his hands and wrists when being fastened. He had not been ableto get the better of the fellow at the cottage, but now it wasdifferent, and, with a twist of his wrists, he withdrew first one handand then the other. 

With his hands free, it was an easy matter to untie his feet. Thisdone, he arose and tiptoed his way to the door. He opened the barrierwith caution, and peered out. 

The sight that met his gaze was not a reassuring one. Thecounterfeiters sat on all sides of the room, and each had a pistolwhere it could be gotten at with ease. 

"It's got to be done!" Matlock Styles was saying. "It should have beendone long ago. "

"All right, I'll do it, " grumbled another member of the band. "ButI'll be running a big risk. "

"Not half the bloomin' risk I've been running, " grumbled the Englishman. 

"What about the word from Buffalo?" asked another. 

"We'll settle that to-night--after we have settled about our prisoner. "

"I've got to get back to New York. "

"How soon?"

"Just as soon as possible. "

"Do you want to take the letter along?"

"Yes; I gave my word I'd bring the letter. "

"All right, then; we'll have to write the letter, and each man signit, " said Matlock Styles. "But, I must say, I don't like this way ofdoing things. "

"No more do I, " growled another of the band. 

"It's putting a fellow's head under the axe, " came from Number Four. 

"Oh, don't get scared!" came from another. "I know Luffer--he's O. K. "

"Everybody is O. K. Until he gets in a tight corner and squeals, "grumbled Number Four. 

"Kicking again, eh?" roared Matlock Styles, glaring sourly at NumberFour. 

"Oh, no; I'll do as the others say!" answered the big-boned young man, but with a slight tremble in his voice. Then all of the counterfeitersgathered around a table, to dictate and sign a certain letter someoutside party had demanded. 

Adam Adams did not stop to listen to all of this conversation. He feltthat if he was to get away he must lose no time in making the attempt. For a moment he thought to rush past the counterfeiters and try to gainthe regular entrance to the den, but then he realized the foolishnessof such an attempt. Before he got a dozen steps, they would fire athim, and, most likely, kill him. 

He closed the door gently, and, seeing a small stick of wood on thefloor, stuck this under the barrier and shoved it as tight as possible. Then he took up the bench and braced this under the handle of the door, so that to shove the door inwards would be all but impossible. 

"Now, then, to see if there is some other way out, " he mused. 

A lantern, hanging on a nail, lit up the stone chamber. Taking thelight in hand, he commenced a rapid but thorough investigation of hisprison. 

The walls were practically solid, the only break being at the door andon the opposite side, where there had once been another door. Thissecond doorway had been bricked up to within six inches of the top, which had been left open, probably for ventilation. 

Standing on tiptoes, Adam Adams held up the lantern and looked throughthe ventilating space. Some cool air coming in, told him that thepassageway beyond must lead to the outer world. 

"If that opening was only a bit larger a fellow might crawl through, "was what he told himself. 

He set the lantern down and felt of the wall, putting his arm throughthe opening. It was about a foot thick, and the bricks were well laid, in good cement. 

"Not much show there, " he reasoned grimly. "If a fellow had time, itcould be done. But it would take hours--with only a pocketknife--andthey'd be sure to hear the noise. I must see if there isn't some otherway. "

He listened at the door for a moment. The counterfeiters were still atwork over the letter, and another angry discussion was in full sway. Then he held up the lantern, looking at the flooring over his head. 

The planks were heavy but old, and several of them looked to be prettywell rotted. Picking up a stick that was handy, he poked at one plankafter another. It was not long before he came to one that was so fardecayed that the end of the stick went through it with ease. 

There was nothing to stand upon but the bench, and so he took it awayfrom the door and placed it directly under the decayed plank. Then hestood up and pushed on the plank with both hands. It gave way, sendingdown a shower of dust and mold in his face, and almost blinding him. 

He had made considerable noise, but angry words between the men in theother chamber drowned out the sounds. Catching up the lantern oncemore, he lifted it through the opening over his head, and tried to lookaround. 

He could see but little, excepting boxes and barrels, some as decayedas was the floor. Evidently the apartment above had once been astore-room, but had not been used for years. 

Adam Adams did not speculate long over what to do next. He felt thatthe farther he got from the counterfeiters the better off he would be. Setting the lantern on the floor above, he took a firm hold on a plankthat looked fairly strong, and drew himself up. It was a tightsqueeze, but he had been through many tight squeezes before, so did notmind it. 

Once in the storeroom, his next move was to place what was left of thebroken plank into position, and on it he piled several empty boxes andbarrels. 

"That may keep them guessing as to how I got out of the room below, " hethought. "They'll find out sooner or later--but the later the better. "

Lantern in hand, he moved cautiously around the old storeroom. Therewere many empty boxes and barrels, and also sacks that contained mustyflour. Rats were in evidence, and they scurried hither and thither asthe detective moved around. 

It was not long before he discovered two doors. One was nailed up, andwhere it led to, he could not surmise. The other stood partly open, and through it came a whiff of fresh air. 

"That smells like liberty, " he thought, as he breathed in the fresh air. 

He looked down a passageway, with a flooring partly of brick and partlyof stone. Where it led to, there was no telling. 

Feeling that it would be unwise to use the light longer, he put it out. But he kept the lantern in his hand, for possible use in the future, either to show the way or as a weapon. 

The passageway made several turns, and in the darkness he had to feelhis way along. Then he reached a flight of stone steps, leadingdownward. 

"I don't want to go down--I want to go up, " he reasoned. But thereseemed no help for it, and down he went, sixteen steps, to land in asmall room at the bottom. 

Here all was pitch-dark, and for the moment he stood still, not knowingin what direction to move next. All around him were stone walls. 

Presently he felt a small iron door. He took bold of the handle andfound the door locked. 

Curious to learn his whereabouts, he felt for a match, struck it, andlit the lantern once more. A brief glance at the door caused a look ofwonder to overspread his face. The door was locked with a combinationlock similar in make-up to the lock on a safe. 

He gazed around, and soon learned that there was no exit from where hewas, save by the flight of stone steps. To get out, he would have togo back. 

He gazed again at the small iron door, set in an iron frame, embeddedin the stone wall. What could be behind that barrier? Most likelysomething of great value. 

On the floor at his feet was a bit of dirty white paper. Mechanically, he picked it up and looked it over. On it was the following:

 O--4 L 2--12 R 3 53 L 2 44

"The combination!" he murmured. "Somebody had it on that paper anddropped it. Shall I try to work it, or try to get out?"

His better judgment told him he should try to make his escape. But hewas curious to know what was behind that iron door; and, setting thelantern down, he commenced to work the combination knob. He twirledthe knob around four times and stopped at O. Then he began on thecombination proper--twice to the left, stopping at 12; three times tothe right, stopping at 53; and then twice to the left again, stoppingat 44. Then he came around slowly to O again. There followed a click. The combination was off. 

He twisted the handle of the iron door and pulled upon it. It cameopen noiselessly, revealing a stone chamber beyond, eight feet square, and equally high. 

Lantern in hand, Adam Adams stepped into the vault and gazed aroundeagerly. On two sides were wooden shelves, six in number. On theshelves rested several boxes, of wood and of metal. 

He opened one of the boxes, and gazed at the contents with interest. It contained a quantity of haired paper, almost an exact duplicate ofthe haired paper used in the making of banknotes. 

He looked at another box. This also contained paper. The third boxheld a quantity of counterfeits, the amount of which made even thematter-of-fact detective gasp. 

"If they ever floated these, they would be the richest gang ofcounterfeiters in the world!" was his mental comment. He had no ideaof the exact amount, but saw that it would total up to a tremendous sum. 

He turned to one of the metal boxes. It was empty, and he set it downagain. Then he took up another box that was fairly heavy, and threwopen the cover. 

There, resting on some thick blotting paper, was a counterfeit plate--aplate undoubtedly used for printing the backs of the spurious $100bills!

Adam Adams could not help but gaze at that plate with interest. Howthe Secret Service men had worked to bring that plate to light, andarrest the users! And here he, in following up the clues of one crime, had stumbled upon the broad trail of another. 

As he put the plate down, a noise reached his ears. By instinct, heblew out the lantern and listened. The noise was that from footstepsat a distance. Then he heard a murmur of voices, quickly growinglouder. 

"They have discovered my escape, " he told himself. And then he blamedhimself for not having made better use of his time in an endeavor toget away. 

He stepped out of the vault, and listened with strained ears. Thecounterfeiters had separated, and were searching in all directions forhim. 

"If they come this way, I'll have to fight, " he reasoned. "I might aswell die that way, as to be killed in cold blood. "

But then a sudden idea came to him, and as quickly as he had left thevault, he returned to it. Footsteps were coming closer, and he had notime to spare. 

One of the shelves of the vault was close to the top and very broad. Up on this climbed the detective, and laid out at full length, as closeto the wall as possible. In front of him he held two of the woodenboxes containing the haired paper. 

Somebody came closer, and he heard talking in the passageway at thefoot of the stone steps. A hand was placed on the door of the vault. 

"Who left this unlocked?" came in Matlock Styles' voice. 

"Is it unlocked?" asked another of the band. 

"Yes. "

"That is strange. It was locked yesterday; I am sure of it. "

"Maybe that bloody rascal got here!" growled the Englishman. 

"How could he work the combination?"

"Oh, some of those chaps are keener than you think. Wait, hold up thelight. "

Matlock Styles opened the door and gazed into the vault. For themoment he saw nothing. 

"Not here, " he said briefly. "Come on; we'll have to look elsewhere. "

CHAPTER XXVI

DOOMED TO DIE

"Wait a minute!" came from the other man, as Matlock Styles was on thepoint of coming out of the vault. 

"What do you want?"

"I want to get some of that new paper. "

"Oh, you can get there after we have caught our man. "

"I'll take it now--it won't take a minute. "

The man pushed his way into the vault. He took hold of a box. Then hesuddenly backed away. 

"He's in there!" he gasped. 

"In there? Where?"

"There--on the shelf! Look out!"

"Ha! So he is!" ejaculated Matlock Styles. He, too, leaped back. "I've got him, too, the skunk!"

Both of the counterfeiters leaped into the passageway. Adam Adams camedown from the shelf. But the movement was not swift enough. As heleaped towards the iron door, it was banged shut in his face. Then thecombination knob was twirled around. 

"Ha! ha! That's the time we caught you like a rat in a trap!" sang outthe Englishman in triumph. 

"Sure it was our man?" queried his companion. "I didn't get a verygood look. "

"Yes, it was our man, the bloody villain!"

"He's a slick one!"

"So he is--but he'll not get away again. Go and tell the others thatit is all right--that we have him, " went on Matlock Styles. 

"You are sure he can't get out of there?"

"Not in a hundred years! He'd have to blast his way out to do it. "

"Then it's all right, " returned the other man, and walked away up theflight of stone steps. 

"Now, then, you have come to the end of your rope, you bloomin', bloodyrascal!" cried Matlock Styles, when he was left alone in front of thevault. "You'll not get out of there until I open the door. "

"Styles, supposing we talk this matter over?" suggested Adam Adams, ascalmly as he could. 

"Talk it over? What do you mean?"

"Let me out, and I'll explain. "

"I'll not let you out. "

"It won't do you any good to keep me in here. "

"I know better. "

"Don't think that I am alone on this case, for I am not. If you harmme, you'll take the consequences. "

"Bah! You can't scare me! I'm not a baby. If you weren't alone, someof your chums would be after you long ago. You thought to run me andmy gang down single-handed, and have your praises sung in everybloomin' newspaper of the country! I know your kind. But I've got younow like a rat in a trap. And you'll get out like the rat does--afterhe's dead. "

"You won't talk then?"

"No--at least, not now. Perhaps I'll talk later. But I'll not giveyou your liberty, " and thus speaking Matlock Styles tried the door ofthe vault, to make certain that it was secure, and walked away. 

It must be confessed that Adam Adams felt that he was in a dangeroussituation--a situation in which the majority of men would have given uputterly. He still had his lantern, and this he lit once more, and byits rays examined every foot of the vault in which he was a prisoner. 

He saw little that gave him encouragement. The sides and flooring wereof stone and brick, well put together and strong. The ceiling waslikewise of brick, resting on arches of iron. 

"Looks as If I was booked to stay here!" he muttered grimly, as heviewed the situation. "No getting out as I got out of that other hole. "

He noticed that the air was not good, and this soon gave him cause foradditional alarm. If he could not get any fresh air, he might smotherbefore anybody came to release him. 

Once more he went over the walls and the flooring, and even pounded onthe iron door. It was all to no purpose. He was as close a prisoneras if encased in a stone tomb. 

"Perhaps they will leave me here until I either smother or starve todeath, " he reasoned. "It would be an easy way of disposing of me. AndMiss Langmore and Mr. Case would wonder how I came to disappear somysteriously. "

He set the boxes on the floor, and, standing on one of them, proceededto examine the roofing of the vault more carefully. He found one ofthe iron arches a bit loose at one end, and pulled upon it with all hismight. 

The result was greater than he had anticipated. The iron brace camedown, and with it fell several dozens of brick, some hitting thedetective on the legs and feet. He shrank back against the shelves, and so avoided getting the shower on his head. The lantern wassmashed, leaving him in total darkness. 

As soon as the fall was over, he pulled the boxes from beneath thebricks and piled them one on top of the other. Mounting as high as hecould, he felt around, secured a hold on some bricks and stones above, and hauled himself upward. 

"Now to get out somehow!" he told himself. "No more lingering in thisden of criminals!"

He felt around, as he moved forward. On all sides the walls were wetand slimy. He advanced with care, resolved to avoid all pitfalls, wereit possible to do so. He was in a place where the roofing was nohigher than his shoulders, so he had to stoop as he progressed. 

A moment later he found himself in a narrow passageway, with rocks onone side and a heavy wooden partition on the other. Through a slit inthe partition a faint light was streaming. 

Adam Adams tiptoed his way to the slit and looked through. Beyond hemade out the printing room of the counterfeiting plant. Only one manwas present, the big-boned fellow known as Number Four. He was seatedon the corner of a rude table, idly tearing some paper into strips, andevidently thinking deeply. 

As the detective was about to move on, another person entered theprinting room. 

"Did they get him?" asked Number Four eagerly. 

"Yes, " was the short reply. 

"Where was he?"

"You'd never guess. "

"At the river?"

"No; in the vault. "

"What! How did he get there?"

"Nobody knows. He must have found the door open. But it's against therules for anybody to leave that door unlocked. "

"I know that, " said Number Four, and heaved a deep sigh. 

"Say, you don't like your job, do you?" went on the othercounterfeiter, with a sniff. 

"Would you like it?" demanded Number Four, half angrily. 

"Well, not particularly. "

"When I joined this gang, I did it to make money, both ways. I didn'tjoin to kill folks. "

"Sure, that's true. But the fellow deserves what he'll get. He is aspy, and when a fellow spies on the likes of us he takes his life inhis hands--and he knows it. "

"Well, that may be so. Just the same, I'm sorry I drew the red ball, "went on Number Four. 

"Ain't going to back out, are you?"

"Humph! How can I back out? Styles wouldn't allow it. "

"You bet he wouldn't--and none of us would, for that matter. If I haddrawn the red ball I would have done what was asked of me, and noshirking--and you've got to do the same. "

"I ain't shirking, " growled Number Four. "I'll do my duty. But Idon't like the job, " and then he arose and left the room. 

Adam Adams had moved on, too--down the dark passageway. Soon he cameto a place so narrow that he squeezed through with difficulty. Here hestepped into a nest of rats, and one bit him in the ankle, causing himto give an involuntary cry of pain. The rats were all around, and hehad to hiss quite loudly to make them keep their distance. 

He could now smell the water, and knew he must be close to the river. Once in the stream, he felt that he could swim to safety. But he mustlook our for more traps. 

Another turn, and he found the water flowing at his feet. Far aheadwas a faint glimmer of light. He entered the water and pushed forward. Then, of a sudden, he came to a halt. He had heard the sound ofsomebody rowing. 

The small boat passed, and all became silent once more. Again hepushed on, and presently reached a spot at the edge of the old mill. He was under a dock. Close at hand rested a rowboat, with the oarsacross the seats. 

"The boat for mine--if I can get into it without being seen, " thedetective told himself. 

With added caution, he waded around to the stern of the rowboat, andpeered around carefully. Not a soul seemed to be in sight, and, withcare, he climbed over the stern of the craft. 

"Stop!" came a cry. "Here he is!"

He turned and leaped to the oars. As he did this, something whizzedthrough the air. It struck him on the head, and over he went, acrossthe seats of the boat. He clutched wildly at the air; and then hissenses forsook him. 

"Who is it?" came another call. 

"That rascal who escaped!"

"It can't be--he is in the vault. "

"Come, see for yourself. Quick!"

Three men came rushing to the spot, and the rowboat was hauled close tothe dock. The counterfeiters pounced upon Adam Adams, and by the timehe had recovered his senses, he was again a close prisoner. ThenMatlock Styles appeared. 

"He is a wizard!" ejaculated the Englishman. "But he shall not getaway again! I'll guard him myself--until Number Four finishes him!"

CHAPTER XXVII

TOM OSTRELLO'S STORY

On the following evening, at exactly seven o'clock, an old man came tothe depot at Sidham and met the incoming train. He was rather feeble inhis movements and hobbled rather than walked to meet a man who came inwith a portfolio under his arm. 

"Excuse me, but is this Mr. Granby?" he asked in a quavering voice. 

"That's my name, " said the new arrival, with a slight start. 

"How are the sketches getting along? I hope you are making a goodpicture of my daughter. "

"Very good, I think, sir. If you will come to my room, I will show youmy proof. "

"All right, sir, " answered the old man. 

The two men left the depot, and crossing the roadway, walked to a hotelon the next block. They ascended to the third floor and made their wayto a fine apartment in the front. Here the door was locked, the curtainsdrawn, and the gas was lit. Then both men removed wigs and falsewhiskers, and there stood revealed Charles Vapp and Adam Adams. 

"You are on time, I see, " said the latter, as he dropped into an easychair and lit a cigar. 

"Yes, I was lucky enough to get your telegram directly after it came in. The trail took me near the office and Frank passed it to me. "

"What of the man you have been following?"

"He is looking for you. "

"Do you know the reason?"

"Yes. He has had several talks with Letty Bernard, and she has advisedhim to speak to you, and tell you everything, whatever that may mean. The girl told him that you could clear him. "

"Humph! She takes a good deal for granted. Anything else?"

"Do you know that Margaret Langmore has disappeared?"

"So I heard, less than an hour ago. "

"They say she ran away to escape trial. "

"Perhaps so, but if she did she was out of her head. It is too bad, forit complicates matters. "

"By your telegram I see that you want me to turn to something else, " wenton Charles Vapp, after a pause. 

"I do. " Adam Adams drew a long breath. 

"Charley, wonderful things can happen in twenty-four hours. "

"I know that, Adam. "

"Last night I was doomed to die. I was in the hands of one of the worstband of evil-doers I ever ran across. They drew lots as to who shouldslay me--just as the Anarchists draw lots to kill one who has been markedby them. "

"And you escaped?"

"If I hadn't I shouldn't be here. It's a long story. As luck would haveit, the foul deed fell to the lot of a fellow known as Number Four. Hewas a weak-kneed chap, and I had previously spoken to him about gettingcaught and imprisoned, and I said I would befriend anybody who wouldbefriend me. He was to shoot me, tie my body in a bag with rocks, andsink me to the bottom of the river. He said he would do the job onlywhen alone and the others took him at his word. When he got me where hewanted me, he told his story. He used to be poor but honest, and wasonce sent up for a theft that he had not committed. The gang got hold ofhim, when he came out of prison, and he was made to join the band. Hesaid he did not want to kill anyone, that he was sick of what he had beendoing, and wanted to reform. I promised him a thousand dollars if hewould let me go, and promised not to testify against him, if he wouldtell me all he knew. He took me at my word, and sank a sack full ofgrass and stones to the bottom of the river, instead of yours truly. Then he came away with me, told me some astonishing things, took histhousand dollars; and I haven't seen him since, and I doubt if he willever show himself again. "

"You were more than lucky. But what is this band--if it is any of mybusiness?"

Adam Adams leaned forward. 

"Don't breathe it to a soul, not even at headquarters, " he whispered. "Ihave located a band of counterfeiters--the makers of that clevercounterfeit bill on the Excelsior National Bank of New York. You'veheard of it--the one they said was printed from the Racksburg plates. "

"Sure, the one Fields tried to run to earth last year. "

"The same. "

"That's a big feather in your cap. "

"In following up one thread I seem to have gotten away from another. Istarted out to find the murderer of Mr. And Mrs. Langmore. I thought Ihad a line on one fellow, but it would seem now that he can readily provea complete _alibi_. "

"What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to keep your eyes on certain people in and around this town, and especially on that Matlock Styles. If you see any indications of hisrunning away, arrest him on the spot. Here is a list of the men to bewatched. " Adam Adams brought out a slip of paper. Then he described theold mill. "The counterfeiters' rendezvous is under that mill, " hecontinued. "They make folks think the place is haunted and Styles hassavage dogs on his farm near by, and that keeps the curious away. I wantyou to watch the mill, too, if you can. But keep out of all danger. Ifany of the gang try to trap you shoot them down, for if they catch youthey won't be apt to let you get away alive. If you wish get Strong tohelp you. "

"I understand, and I'll be on my guard, " said the assistant. 

After that the pair conversed for a quarter of an hour longer and then, after making some changes in his disguise, Charles Vapp hurried from thehotel and out into the darkness of what looked as if it would prove astormy night. 

As soon as Vapp had gone, Adam Adams sat down and penned a brief note. This he sent out by a hotel messenger, and then sank back in his easychair, to smoke and to meditate. 

The detective had learned much, yet about certain things he was in thedark as much as ever. The mysterious Number Four--he had not asked thepenitent for his name--had given him the names and addresses of fourteenmen connected with the band of counterfeiters. Eleven of theseindividuals were makers of the bogus bank bills, and the other threeoperated in the big cities, disposing of the "goods" in bulk to others, who in their turn, fed the bad bills to the general public. 

So far as Number Four knew, Matlock Styles was the head of the gang, butthe man had said there was another individual, to whom Styles often wentfor advice. This man was considered to be very shrewd, but what his namewas there was no telling. Number Four ventured a guess that he might beconnected with the United States treasury department. 

After his escape from the den, Adam Adams had gone to Stony Hill insecret, and there verified Matlock Styles' story that the Englishman hadnot been near the Langmore mansion during the time the murders werecommitted. So, from that crime, at least, the counterfeiter wasapparently cleared. 

But this only made the mystery connected with the counterfeits in thesafe so much deeper. Number Four had never mentioned Barry Langmore whenspeaking of the members of the gang, and when questioned about the man, said he had known him by sight and that was all. 

Less than an hour after he had sent out the messenger, there came a knockon the door and Tom Ostrello presented himself. 

"You are the gentleman that wishes to see me?" he inquired. 

"I believe you wish to see me, " was the reply, as the detective closedthe door and locked it again. "Sit down, Mr. Ostrello. I am Adam Adams. "

"Oh, I--er--I didn't quite recognize you in that dress. "

"I suppose not. " There was a brief pause. "Mr. Ostrello, if you wish tospeak to me, I am at your disposal for the next hour. "

"Thank you. " The young commercial traveler cleared his throat. "Youare--I mean, I believe you know the relationship between Miss Bernard andmyself?"

"She has told me something about that. "

"She tells me you are her closest friend--that you have really been afather to her since her own parent died. And she tells me that you areone of the greatest detectives in the world. I wish I had known thatwhen we first met--I should have engaged you to clear up the mystery ofthis sad affair. "

The young man paused again. Evidently it was hard work for him to getdirectly at the subject on hand. Adam Adams remained silent. 

"I did not imagine that I--well, that I would be connected with thisgreat crime. I mean, that anybody would suspect that I had done thedeed. It is a fearful thought! That I would kill my own mother! I knowsuch things have been done, but they must have been done by beasts, notmen. I know I should have spoken of the visit that very morning to mymother. "

"Then you admit that you called at the house?"

"Yes. "

"You were dressed in a gray suit and wore a slouch hat, and you enteredby the back way?"

"How did you learn all that?" cried the young commercial traveler inastonishment. 

"Never mind. In coming away you slipped and fell, and your hat droppedoff. "

Tom Ostrello nodded. "I understand that somebody must have noticed meafter all. I came in by the back way because I missed the train forSidham, and took that which stops only at Chester. It is a short cutthrough the woods from Chester Station to the Langmore place. When Icame away I had just time enough to catch another train at Chester, and Iwas very anxious to get back to the city, for I had an importantengagement with one of my customers. "

"I understand. Proceed, please. "

"I came to the house for two reasons. In the first place, as perhaps youknow, my brother, Dick, is a spendthrift, and works occasionally only. He got into a scrape in Los Angeles, and telegraphed me to help him outfinancially. It was an old plea, but I thought if I left him to himselfmy mother would not forgive me. I did not have money enough to help himby myself, for my capital was tied up in such a fashion that I could notget at it. More than that, I had in my possession two one hundred dollarbills, which my mother had gotten from Mr. Langmore, and both of thesewere counterfeits. "

"One of those bills you had tried to pass at a theatre, eh?"

"Ha! You know that, too! Then you have been following me up?"

"The United States Government has been trying to follow up those billsfor several years. "

"I came to the house and saw my mother. Mr. Langmore had gone to thebank. There had been a family row, but that was not all of the trouble. Mr. Langmore was strangely excited, so my mother said, and had declaredhe was going to have somebody arrested, before the week was out. "

"On account of the counterfeits?"

"Either that, or on account of a patent. She said he had sent offseveral letters and was also going to telegraph to somebody. She said hehad asked her to give back the hundred dollar bills, and had been muchdisturbed when she told him that I had them. She took the bills back andgave me good money for them, and also gave me two hundred dollars more, to forward to my brother Dick, which I did, adding a hundred of my own. "

"Did your mother tell you anything more about the counterfeits?"

"No. "

"Did you see Miss Langmore?"

"I did not, nor did I see the servant. I was in a hurry, and so I cameaway as soon as my business was accomplished. "

"When you came away from the house and dropped your hat, did you go backagain, crawling along by the bushes?"

"I certainly did not. "

"Did you see any other man around?"

"Not there. I caught a glimpse of a man when I was hurrying through thewoods to the station. "

"When you came to the house, after the tragedy, Mr. Ostrello, what wereyou so anxious about?"

"You mean what was I looking for?"

"Yes. "

"A letter Dick had sent me. It told about his trouble. I thought atfirst it might be in the library, but I found it in my mother's room. Itcontained an account of the scandal he had gotten into. I did not wishthat scandal to become public property. I can show you that letter ifyou wish to see it. "

"Lately you have had some trouble with a man named Matlock Styles. Whatwas that about?"

"It was over a patent. I thought of an idea for a machine to box uppills in a new way, and spoke to Mr. Langmore about it. I left somepapers with Mr. Langmore and I think Styles got hold of them and appliedfor the patent. We had several disputes, and at last he threatened toget me into trouble with the firm I represent. He said he had influence, and as I didn't want to lose my job, I didn't press him about the patent. He acts like a farmer, but he is a shrewd fellow, and not to be trusted. "

"You went back to the house lately, on the sly--told Mrs. Morse youwanted some books. "

"I admit it. I wanted to get some of my mother's private papers. Nowshe is dead, I wish to look out for any share of the estate that may becoming to my brother Dick and myself. Isn't that natural? It wasfoolish of me to run away as I did, but--well, I was nervous. Thistragedy has completely unnerved me, and I hardly know what I am doing. "

"How about this bit of wrapping paper?" and Adam Adams brought forth thepiece he had found under Mr. Langmore's safe. 

"I do not know where that came from, but it is evidently a part of someof my firm's advertising. The first three lines are the name andaddress. The last line reads, 'Keep dark'. "

"I found this under the library safe. "

"That is not to be wondered at. Some time ago, I remember, I got somepowders for Mr. Langmore, for headaches. I remember the box had awrapper of that sort on it. The powders lose their strength if exposedto the sunlight. And that reminds me, you--you think these murders werecommitted through the agency of a Chinese powder--_yamlang-peholo_--apowder my firm once introduced in this country. "

"The evidence points that way. "

"I know of nobody around that house who had any of the accursed stuff, for it certainly was accursed. I never took any there--or, at least, ifI ever did, I do not remember taking it out of my grip. "

"Can you furnish me with a list of people who received this stuff fromyou or from others?"

"I can. On my way to Sidham I made out this list, and here it is, " andthe young man brought it forth. 

Adam Adams glanced at it quickly, and read over the long line of namesand addresses--doctors, druggists and private individuals. Suddenly hepaused and a smile of triumph lit up his features. 

"Good!" he almost shouted. 

"You have discovered something?" asked Tom Ostrello quickly. 

"Yes, I have discovered a great deal. I think the murder mystery is asgood as solved. "

CHAPTER XXVIII

WHAT HAPPENED TO MARGARET

It is said by specialists that the human brain can stand just so much, and no more. The tension becomes so great--something snaps--and then?The question is one, hard, if not impossible, to answer. 

So it was with poor Margaret, hounded by the well-meaning but ignorantofficers of the law of the community in which the double crime had beencommitted. So searching had been the questions put, so strong theaccusations, that the reasoning powers of the girl were completelyshattered. She imagined herself guilty--imagined herself being takento prison, to be hung or electrocuted, and in a hundred ways sufferedthe mental tortures of the eternally condemned. 

Then came a change, when she grew hysterical and laughed softly toherself. No! no! she must not let them hang or electrocute her! Itwould be too much of a disgrace! She must escape such a fearful fate!

But how? There could be but one answer to that question. She mustcontrive in some way to outwit her enemies--she must escape--must flyto some place where they would never be able to find her. 

It is said that those who are insane are usually shrewd, and so it wasin Margaret's case. She prepared to run away, but she did not allowthe nurse or the doctor to become aware of what she was doing. Shewaited until the doctor had made another call, and then asked the nurseto fix her something special to eat. 

"Why, yes, I'll get whatever you wish, my dear!" said the nurse, andwent below to prepare the food. 

No sooner had the woman disappeared than Margaret leaped from her bedand began to dress. All of her things, even to her hat, were in acloset of the bedroom, so this was easy. 

"How shall I go?" she asked herself. She knew, from the talk she hadheard, that a policeman was somewhere around, watching the house. Shelooked out of a window and saw him, leaning against a fence, takingoccasional sly puffs from a pipe he held in the hollow of his hand. 

She did not dare descend the stairs. She looked out of the window. Itwas not very far to the roof of a porch, and against the porch was atrellis, with a wealth of honeysuckle growing upon it. 

How she did it, Margaret could not afterwards remember. But shecrawled forth from the window, and climbed down the trellis as if itwere a ladder. The sweet scent of the honeysuckle made her sick, andshe came close to falling in a faint at the foot of the vines. 

Reaching the ground, she stared around like a frightened fawn seekingto hide from the hunters. Then, without knowing why, she sped for theriver bank. 

The water looked cool and inviting, and for several minutes thebeautiful girl stood there, gazing steadily down into those depths. Should she make a leap and end it all?

"It would be the easiest way out of it!" she moaned to herself. "Theeasiest way, and nobody would care!"

But, as she bent lower, she seemed to see reflected, not her own face, but the face of Raymond. With a cry of despair, she shrank back as ifstruck a blow. 

"No! no! It will not do!" she moaned. "Not that! Not that!"

She ran along the river bank until she came to where a rowboat was tiedup. On the seats were the oars, and, scarcely knowing what she wasdoing, she leaped into the craft, untied the painter, and took up theoars. 

The fresh air seemed to give her strength, and she pulled on and on. She grew thirsty and stopped to drink some of the water and to batheher face and hands. While doing this, her hat slipped overboard anddrifted away, but she did not notice this. 

Presently she took up the oars once more, and rowed along the streamuntil she reached a spot where there was an island. Here she wentashore, hiding the rowboat in the bushes. 

It was only a small island, but in the center some boys had erected ahut where they had once camped out. Margaret dragged herself to thisshelter. Her strength was almost gone now, and, as she dropped on arude bench, her senses forsook her. 

She did not remain unconscious long, but during that time she had adream or vision. She imagined that she was back home once more, andthat her father and her stepmother were alive and well, and that thebitter quarrelling had come to an end. She sat up and brushed thetumbled hair from her forehead, "It--it must have been a dream!" she murmured. "It can't be true--thatdaddy is dead! I--I must go home and find out!"

She was surprised to find herself on the island, but the sight of therowboat brought with it a memory of how she had used the craft, andonce again she got in and rowed away. 

This time she headed for the Langmore mansion, and it was not longbefore she came within sight of the well-known dock where her own tinycraft still rested. She looked around. Not a soul seemed to be insight. 

With a cunningness far out of the ordinary, the poor girl crept alongthe shrubbery in the direction of the barn. This structure was lockedup. From the barn she turned to the house, and, watching her chance, she entered by the cellar-way, which chanced to be standing open. 

It was dark and damp below stairs, and the girl shivered as she stoodthere, trying to make up her mind what to do next. Should she go rightup and try to find her father? Supposing her stepmother was there, would she try to make more trouble?

Margaret mounted the stairs and entered the lower hall of the house. The blinds were closed, and all was dark. She moved towards the roomwhere the body of her father had been found. 

At that moment the woman who had been left at the mansion came from thekitchen. She caught one glimpse of the girl and set up a shriek. 

"It's a ghost!" she cried. "A ghost! Heaven help me!"

The cry was so piercing and so genuine, it roused Margaret from thestupor in which she was moving. 

"My father! He is dead, after all! Oh, daddy!" she screamed, and thenturned, brushed past the woman, and sped out of the back door of themansion. 

"What's the matter?" came from the policeman who was on guard. 

"She--a ghost!" stammered Mrs. Morse. "I saw her!"

"Her? Who?"

"Margaret Langmore! Or else her ghost!" The woman had gone white, andwas shaking from head to feet. 

"Where?"

"Here. "

"When?"

"Just now!"

"It can't have been the girl. She is in bed, under the doctor's care. "

"But I saw her!" insisted the woman. 

"We'll take a look around, " answered the guardian of the law. 

They commenced the search, but long before this was done Margaret hadrun back to the river. She dropped into the rowboat, and rowed off asswiftly as her failing strength would permit. 

"Daddy is dead, after all!" she moaned, over and over again. "And sheis dead, too! I remember it all, now. And the blood! Oh, I must getaway, or they will hang me, or electrocute me!"

Five minutes more and the rowboat came to grief on some rocks close tothe side of the stream. It commenced to fill with water, and Margarethad to wade ashore, which she did, slowly and deliberately, like one ina dream. Then she passed into the woods. Coming to a thick clump ofbushes, she sank down exhausted, and there merciful sleep overtook her. 

How long she slept, she did not know. The low growl of a dog arousedher. She sat up, and the growl of the dog became a heavy bark. Looking from out of the clump of bushes, she saw a mastiff standingthere, eying her suspiciously. 

"What is it, boy?" she heard a heavy voice ask. "A woodchuck? Nevermind now, come on. "

But the mastiff continued to bark, and came close enough to sniff atMargaret's foot. She essayed to draw back, but was too weak to do so. 

"Won't come, eh?" cried the man. "What's the bloomin' reason, I'd liketo know?"

He came closer and then caught sight of Margaret. For a second hestared in amazement; then uttered an exclamation. 

"You! How did you get here?"

"Oh!" she fairly screamed. She recognized Matlock Styles, and knew notwhat to say. For some reason she felt as does the bird in the net ofthe fowler. 

"This is bloomin' strange, " went on the Englishman. "I thought youwere down in the village, under the care of the doctors. "

"I was, " she managed to falter. 

"How did you get here--run away?"

"Yes. "

"Why?"

"I--I do not know. I--they have found me out! They are going to hangme, or electrocute me! I--I couldn't stand it!"

"How do you know that?"

"Oh, I know only too well. "

"So you ran away, did you? 'Twas a bloody cute thing to do, Margaret. Say, your dress is wet, " he went on wonderingly. 

"Yes, I was in a rowboat and had to wade ashore. " She looked at himwith a face full of wild misery. "Oh, please go away and leave me!"

"Leave you?"

"Yes! yes!"

"I can't do that, Margaret. "

"You must!"

"But you are not fit to be left alone. You're sick. "

"Never mind--only leave me!"

"Better let me take care of you. " And now, having stopped the barkingof the mastiff, he came and sat down by her side. 

"No! no!" She tried to shrink away, but was too weak to succeed. 

"So you ran away, eh? Are they after you?"

"I don't know. I--I suppose so. "

"How did you get out of the house?"

"I climbed out of a window, when the nurse and the policeman were notlooking. "

"Bloomin' clever, that, " he murmured. His eyes were watching herclosely, and to himself he was saying: "Gad, what a beauty she is, inspite of what she has suffered!"

"I am going away--far away!" she went on, in a low voice. "Oh, Icannot, cannot stay here. "

"You can't travel in your condition, Margaret. " He pulled thoughtfullyat his mutton-chop whiskers. "You let me help you. "

"You?"

"Yes. Come, give me your arm, " and he caught hold of her, as if toassist her to arise. 

"No, no! Please leave me!" she begged. "I can take care of myself. Only give me the chance to get away!"

"Margaret! You are out of your mind. "

"No, I am not. "

"I know better. And I am not going to let you go away. You shall gowith me. "

"Oh, Mr. Styles! Please go away. "

"No, " he answered firmly. "Come, you have got to go with me. "

CHAPTER XXIX

A GLASS OF POISON

Margaret could do nothing but stare at the man before her. He washeavy-set and powerful, and wont to having his own way. 

"Mr. Styles--" she began, but he put his hand over her mouth. 

"You are sick--out of your head, " he interrupted. "I know what isbest, and you must do as I say. Come on. " And he pulled her forwardby the hand. 

"Where to?"

"Not very far. "

"I--I do not wish to go to your home. "

"I'll not take you there, don't fear. "

"You are going to hand me over to the--the authorities. "

"Never! Come. I won't hurt you. "

He led the way through the woods, across a small stream and past a spotwhere some wild berries grew. Then they struck a trail leading up ahillside. The place was new to her. 

"I want to know where you are taking me, " she said presently, and cameto a halt. 

"To a place where you will be safe. "

"That isn't answering the question. "

"We'll be there in a few minutes, and then you can see for yourself, Margaret. Cannot you trust me, girl? I'm not going to hurt you. Ilove you, and I'll do all I can to help you. Come!" And again he madeher move on. 

At last they came in sight of a tumbled-down cottage on the edge ofwhat had once been a clearing, but which was now overgrown with weedsand brushwood. As they came up, Margaret's strength gave out, andsuddenly she sank down on her knees. 

"All in, are you?" he said, not unkindly, and, stooping, he picked herup bodily. She tried to resist, but could not, and he took her intothe cottage and placed her on a couch. 

"I'll get you a nurse, " he said, noting her extreme paleness. "Youneed one. "

"A--a woman?"

"Yes. "

"Thank you, " she murmured, and then closed her eyes, for she was toofar gone to say more, or to make a move. 

He was as good as his word, and when she roused up once more an oldwoman was at Margaret's side. She had administered some sort ofdrug--what, the girl did not know--and it had put her into a soundsleep. 

When Margaret looked around again, she was surprised to see that it wasmorning. She tried to think, but her mind was almost a blank. Outsideof the broken window a wild bird was singing gayly. She looked around. The old woman was not in sight. 

She had been put to bed, and sat there, trying to think for severalminutes. Then she gave a low call, and the old woman appeared in thedoorway. 

"Come awake, have ye, miss?" said she. 

"Where am I?" asked Margaret feebly. 

"You're safe enough, never fear. "

Margaret said no more and the woman went about some little work. Presently the girl arose and dressed herself. She felt much strongerthan when at the home of Martha Sampson, in spite of what she hadexperienced in running away. She sank down in a rocking chair, tothink matters over. 

How far was she from Sidham? She knew she must have come a longdistance, but could not tell if it was five miles or fifty. She lookedout of the window, but the scenery was strange to her. 

As she sat there she reviewed what had passed, her mind becomingclearer as she thought. She remembered the scene at the inquest, andremembered how she had fainted, and how Raymond had supported her andtaken her to the nurse's house. Then she remembered how the coroner'sjury had accused her of the terrible crime, and she gave a deep shudder. 

"Poor, dear father, " she murmured. "Who could have been so wicked asto take your life?"

An hour went by, and she prepared to leave the cottage, when a shadowfell across the window, and Matlock Styles appeared. He spoke a fewlow words to the old woman, and the latter walked away. 

As the man entered the room, Margaret arose and faced him. TheEnglishman was well dressed, and newly shaven, and wore a rosebud inhis buttonhole. Evidently, he had spent some time over his toilet inhonor of the occasion. 

"I'm glad to see you up and looking so well, " he said pleasantly. "Iwas afraid your running away would hurt you. "

"I--I must thank you for what you have done for me, Mr. Styles, " sheanswered. 

"Oh, that's all right, Miss Margaret. I'd do as much for you any day. I think it's a bloomin' shame the way you have been treated. "

"Well, I suppose it cannot be helped. But I must be getting back soon. You will show me the road?"

"Don't be in a hurry to go. You're not strong enough to go. Besides--" the Englishman paused impressively. "What's the use ofgoing back? Don't you know things look beastly black for you?"

"Perhaps, but I am not afraid--now. I am not guilty, Mr. Styles. "

"Of course not! Of course not! I knew that from the start. Butthings do look black, no use of talking. I want to help you. " He camecloser, at which she retreated a step. 

"Thank you, but I do not see what you can do. I must go back and givemyself up. I--I was not myself when I ran away. It was a very foolishthing to do. "

"If you go back, do you know what they will do? They will surely hangyou?"

"Oh, merciful Heaven? Do not say that!"

"I wouldn't if it wasn't so. But I've been talking to the coroner andthe chief of police, and they have all of the evidence as straight as astring. "

"I am innocent. "

"I feel that you are, and that is why I side with you. Besides, youknow my feeling for you. I've loved you for a long time--I told you sobefore. " He took hold of her arm. "If you'll do what I wish, I'll seeto it that you escape--that you are never bothered any more. "

"How can you do that?"

"Never mind how it can be done. Promise to give up Case, and be mywife, and I will attend to all of the rest. And I'll promise you morethan that. Listen, do you know that I am immensely wealthy? It is so, and I can easily prove it. Look here. " He drew a big roll of bankbills from his pocket, each bill of a large denomination. "I have tenthousand dollars here. It shall be yours for the taking--if you willmarry me. I can easily raise five times this amount in forty-eighthours. We can go to Europe, or Australia, or anywhere we wish. Isn'tthat far better than to stay here, to be hung by a lot of countrybumpkins, who don't understand the matter at all?"

She put up her hands, and waved him away. Then she burst into tears. 

"Don't speak so, please don't! I--I cannot bear it, I have gonethrough so much already!"

"Won't you listen to reason?" Matlock Styles' face darkened. "I amgiving you everything I have, my wealth, my honor, everything! Can aman do more than that? I love you--love you more than Raymond Caseever did, or will. "

She wrung her hands and his dark eyes seemed to pierce her very soul. She felt faint and sank on a bench. 

"Come, will you accept, Margaret?"

"No, no, I cannot!"

"But think of what is before you. "

"If I tried to escape, they would soon be on my track--"

"No, I can prevent that. "

"How?"

"Because the world will know that you are innocent. "

She gave a start and looked at him wildly, pleadingly. 

"Then you know the real murderer?" she panted. 

"If I answer that question, will you become my wife?"

Again she shrank back. 

"You know the murderer, " she repeated. "Perhaps you committed the fouldeeds yourself. "

He took a step back as if struck a blow. Then he recovered quickly andsmiled a bitter smile. 

"No, I was not near the place, I can prove it. Besides, your folks andmyself were on good terms. There is somebody else, who was around thehouse when the affair happened--somebody you know well, a person whowould know all about the drug with which your father and Mrs. Langmorewere killed. "

"Who was it?"

"Will you consent to marry me?"

"Tell me first. "

"No, afterwards. "

"You are fooling me. "

"I swear I am not, Margaret. Marry me, and I will clear you as surelyas the sun is shining. "

"And if I refuse?"

He came and caught her by the arm, his face blazing with sudden passion. 

"Do not dare to do that! Don't you understand the matter? You are inmy power--in my power absolutely. I can hand you over to the policewhenever I will. "

"That will not be such a hardship. I said I was going back. "

"Bah! If I tell them that I caught you, that you begged me to let youget away--that you even said you would marry me, if I would aid you, what then? Everybody will think you guilty, and Raymond Case willnever come near you again. "

"You--you monster!"

"Perhaps I am a monster when aroused. You had better think this matterover. "

"I do not want to think it over. My mind is made up. I shall nevermarry you, never, no matter what happens. I loathe and despise you!"

There was a moment of silence, and his dark face turned a sickly whiteand then red. He breathed heavily through his set teeth. 

"You mean that?" he said finally, his eyes shining like those of aserpent. 

"I do. "

He glared at her steadily. Then, in a burst of rage, he caught her bythe throat and threw her backward to the floor. She offered noresistance, and pausing in his madness he realized that she had swoonedaway. 

"Fainted!" he hissed between his set teeth. "I wish she was dead!Curse her and her beauty!"

He waited, and as she did not return to consciousness, he picked herup, and placed her on the bed. Then he hurried outside:

"Go back to the house, " he said to the old woman. "You'll not beneeded here any more. And see that you keep your jaw closed overthis, " he added harshly. And the woman slunk away as if struck, like adog. 

Once inside of the cottage, he took up a glass of water standing on thetable, and to this added a powder taken from his pocket, stirring it upwell. Then he looked around to see that there was no other wateraround the building. 

"When she rouses up she will be dry, and she will drink this, " hemuttered to himself. "Half a glass will do the work and she will neverbother me or anybody else any more. "

He paused again and took from his pocket several sheets of paper, closely and carelessly written upon in pencil. The first sheet washeaded:

 _Dying Confession of Margaret Langmore. _

"A fine forgery, if I do say so myself, " he mused. "Mat, you alwayswere a plum with the pen. I'll add a line telling where she can befound and then send it to the coroner. That will be better thanleaving it around here. She might find it before she drank that dose. "He paused again. "Perhaps she won't drink it after all. I'll give hersome of it now, and make sure. "

He raised up the almost lifeless girl, and forced open her lips. Thenhe took the glass, and poured half the contents down her throat. Shespluttered, but swallowed, and he let her form drop back on the bed. He was in a cold perspiration now, and in sudden fear, he fairly rushedout of the cottage and down the hillside in the direction of his home. 

CHAPTER XXX

RAISING THE CURTAIN

As soon as his interview with Tom Ostrello was at an end, Adam Adamsasked the young man to leave him. 

"I am going to follow up this clew, " he said. "And the quicker thebetter. "

He looked over a valise he carried and selected a number of things hewanted. Midnight found him at the depot, boarding a train forFairfield. At the latter place he changed and took another train forBryport. Arriving at that city, he located at a hotel, and went to bed. 

He was up at sunrise and procured an early breakfast. Then he returnedto his room and spent a full hour in donning another outfit and inpowdering his face, and adjusting a wig and a reddish moustache. 

The same car that had taken him to the vicinity of John Watkins'residence before, took him there again. As he approached the house hesaw the secret service man coming forth. 

"Excuse me, Mr. Watkins, but I must see you, " said he, in a low andsuggestive tone. 

"To see me?" questioned the man. "What about?"

"Well, I must see you alone. _The sky may be rather red_, you know. "

At the last words the secret service man started slightly. "That'strue, and _I don't like a red sky_, " he answered. "Come into thehouse. You just caught me in time. "

He led the way inside and up to his den, closing and locking the doorafter him. 

"Now, then, what do you want to see me about?" he demanded sharply. 

"Don't you recognize me?"

"I must say I do not, although your face seems familiar. "

"I am Number Four. "

There was a pause, and Adam Adams studied the face before him closely. 

"Well?" came from the secret service man coldly. 

"There has been trouble, Mr. Watkins. Matlock Styles sent me to you. "

"The dickens you say. What right has he--"

"He had to do it. Things are getting warm. "

"He should have come himself. "

"He couldn't do it. The detectives are shadowing every movement hemakes. He didn't even dare to drop you a letter. "

"What's the cause of the trouble?"

"Those queers in the safe. "

"Then the authorities got them?"

"Yes, and they've sent down some New York detectives, who are watchingeverybody. "

"Bah! Styles must be getting nervous. "

"He told me to tell you something more. They found something else. It's about the poison powder that was used. You made some kind of amistake--"

John Watkins leaped to his feet and turned pale. 

"I made a mistake?" he cried. "How? For Heaven's sake, man, tell meall!" He went to a cupboard, got out some brandy and drank a stiffportion. 

"That is what Styles wants to find out. He thinks you put out someclews that point to him. He says if you did he will blow you sky-high. He wants the truth from you, and he wants it right away. "

"Clews? Against him? He is crazy. I never put out a single clewagainst him. Why should I? Wasn't it arranged that we should fix itagainst the girl, and didn't I even go to the trouble to spy onLangmore and get the combination of the safe--although it didn't do anygood. And then after the job was done, didn't I--" The secretservice man came to an abrupt stop, as if fearing he had said too much. "Look here, did he tell you all this, or is this some game?"

"Hey!" exclaimed Adam Adams, pretending to be amazed. "Did he tell me. See here, I don't care if you are the boss, I am not going to run therisk of being sent up for twenty years for you. I came to help Stylesout, that's all. I had the devil's own job getting out of Sidhamwithout being followed. To-morrow I am going to take my money and moveWest. You won't trust a fellow, and yet you expect--"

"Never mind, Pink, don't get on your ear so quick--"

"Ain't I got a right to get on my ear? You go and poison two peopleand then--"

"Who said I did the poisoning?" John Watkins was plainly agitated. 

"Didn't Styles tell all of us? He wasn't going to have those clewspointing to him. He says you bungled. "

"He is a calf!" roared John Watkins. "Where is the nerve he used tohave? So he told all of you that I did the job, eh? Well, I'll squarethings with him for that. "

"He wouldn't care if you hadn't made some sort of a botch--"

"I? A botch? Say, don't you believe what he tells you, because itisn't true!"

"Well, he says--"

"I don't care what he says. I didn't do the job, and I am not going tolet him shift the responsibility on my shoulders. He's a fool. Don'teverybody think the girl is guilty, and if they clear her isn't thereanother string to the bow?"

"You mean Tom Ostrello?"

"That's it. So he told you about that, too, " came from the secretservice man bitterly. "Well, he isn't the man I thought he was. Isuppose he has gone and blabbed right and left. "

"Only to the band. We knew something was on the carpet and we corneredhim and then he had to speak. Why, one of the New York detectivesfound our place under the old mill, and we had to do him, to keep thething a secret. "

"You got him out of the way?"

"Yes. "

"Did Styles do that job?"

"No. We had to draw lots. I ain't saying who drew the red ball. "

"Maybe you drew it yourself. "

"Maybe I did and maybe I didn't. What I want to know is: What are weto do? The crowd don't like Styles much, and I can tell youconfidentially, that for two pins we would throw him over--that is, ifyou will stand by us. "

"You want to elect a new leader?"

"Yes. But with the understanding that the crowd is to be let in on theground floor after this. No more working in the dark. Even yet wedon't know why those murders were committed, and yet it looks as if allof us might suffer, unless you pull us through O. K. "

"Didn't Styles tell you why?"

"No, although he hinted at something. "

"Well, I'll tell you, Pink, and you can tell the rest. Barry Langmorehad some dealings with Styles about patents and mortgages. One dayStyles drank a little too much, and went to Langmore to pay a bill. Hehad two packages of money with him, each for several thousand dollars. One package was good money and the other was our own brand. Stylesalso had some loose bills with him. He paid part of a mortgage andalso something on an invention. When he went away, he saw that he hadmade a mistake and given Langmore the counterfeit bills. He went backthe next day, but Langmore had gone away, on a short vacation. When hecame back Styles went to him and they had a pretty stormy scene. Langmore had tried to pass a bill, and learned it was a counterfeit. Styles pretended that he didn't know the money was bad, but Langmorewouldn't believe him. Some of the money had gone to Mrs. Langmore, too. Styles begged to get the money back and offered Langmore hisrights in an invention if only Langmore would keep quiet. Langmoresaid he would think it over, but I am inclined to think he communicatedwith the police instead, although I have no proof. Anyway, we made upour minds that Langmore knew too much, and so did his wife. Then--well, they were found dead, that's all. "

"And you say you didn't commit the deed?"

"I did not. "

"Then Styles must have done the job, since there was no one else. "

"Didn't he tell you that he can prove an _alibi_! That he was over toStony Hill at the time the deed was done?"

"Yes, but if that is true, then you are guilty. You got that poisonfrom Henry Bloom, and he told Tom Ostrello that he let you have it. There is where you blundered. Ostrello and others are on your track. You can't escape unless you can prove an _alibi_, too. "

Again John Watkins shrank back as if struck a blow. 

"Who--who told this--who says--" he began hoarsely. 

"Matlock Styles. "

"Then he can go to perdition! I'll not stand up for him a minutelonger. Yes, I got the poison, but I gave it to him. I can prove itby the old woman who works for him, if I have to wring her neck to makeher speak. She heard me tell him how to use it. He trusts her, because he has her where the hair is short. She killed a child yearsago, when she ran a baby farm. And then about that _alibi_--" Thesecret service man laughed bitterly. "So that's his game, if it comesto a showing of hands? Well, I can put a spoke in his wheel. He wasat Stony Hill, was he? Well, so was I. I can prove that, too. "

There was a pause, during which the secret service man took anotherdrink of liquor. He was plainly very nervous. With greatdeliberation, Adam Adams drew from one pocket a pistol, and fromanother a pair of handcuffs. 

"The scene is ended, Mr. Watkins, " he said coolly. "I want you to slipon those and come with me. " And he threw the handcuffs on the table, and leveled the pistol at the fellow's head. 

The man staggered and threw up his hands, half expecting a shot. Hesuddenly began to tremble, as if with the ague. 

"What do you mean? Wh--who are you?" he faltered. 

"I am Adam Adams. I believe we have met before. "

"Adams!" The secret service man sank back in an armchair. "Andyou--you are here to arrest me?"

"Exactly. As I said before, the whole game is up. Inside of half anhour you will be safe in prison, and then we shall round up such othermembers of the gang as are still at large. Unless you want to make aconfession, you will have to stand trial for the murder of Mr. And Mrs. Langmore. "

"Never! I'll--I'll tell all I know, first!" The man's lips were whiteand his eyes full of commingled rage and fear. 

"You will make a clean and clear statement?"

"Yes. "

"Clearing up the murder mystery?"

"Yes. "

CHAPTER XXXI

LIGHT AT LAST--CONCLUSION

As soon as Adam Adams returned to Sidham he communicated with the chiefof police, and with several other persons, and also sent two telegramsto New York. He tried to find Charles Vapp, but could not locate hisassistant. 

The detective's plans were laid with care and he gave the posse of menunder him minute instructions as to what to do. In the midst of thework Raymond and Tom Ostrello appeared. 

"Let me go along, " said Raymond. "I want to do my little towardsrounding that gang up. "

"And so do I, " came from the young commercial traveler. 

"You may go as far as Styles' farm, if you wish, " said Adam Adams. "But why not look for Miss Langmore instead?"

At this Raymond's face grew troubled. 

"We have looked everywhere--" he began. 

"As you please. "

It was not long after this that a portion of the party set out, to befollowed presently by the rest. The men did not keep together, butscattered in a wide semicircle, and then in a circle, which completelysurrounded the Styles' farm, and the old mill, and its vicinity. 

As they approached the farm they saw the man called Bart come out, andwalk towards the barn. He was promptly arrested by Adam Adams and wasasked where Matlock Styles could be found. 

"I don't know, " he answered sullenly. "I don't know why you arearresting me. I haven't done anything wrong. "

"We'll see about that later, " returned the detective, and when the manwanted to blow a whistle he carried, promptly prevented it, and tookthe whistle away. Then the man was compelled to quiet the dogs, whichhe did with bad grace. 

In the kitchen of the house they found the old woman, who gave a cry ofalarm when told that she must give herself up to the law. 

"Sure, I didn't have anything to do with it!" she wailed. "I--I didn'ttouch the young lady!"

"What's that?" cried Raymond, stepping forward. 

"I didn't touch the young lady, sir. I offered her something to eat, that's all. "

"Can she mean Margaret?" whispered Tom Ostrello. 

"Where did you meet Miss Langmore?" demanded Raymond sharply. 

"Up at the old cottage on the hill. I--I didn't take her there. Itwas--" She stopped short. "I can't tell you. Mat would kill me, "she whined. 

"See here, tell all you know, " came sternly from Adam Adams. "I knowyou. You once ran a baby farm, and a baby died, and I know how. "

The old woman gave a shriek and fell on her knees, rocking to and fro. 

"I knew it! I knew it would come! It can't be hid any longer! Yes, Idid it!"

"Where is Miss Langmore?" demanded Raymond impatiently. 

"At the cottage on the hill. Mat took her there. He's in love withher. Oh, dear! Oh, dear!" she began to rock to and fro again. "Iknew it would come! Murder will out, they say!"

"Take us to that cottage and be quick about it, " said Raymond. "Willyou go along?" he asked of Adam Adams and Tom Ostrello. 

They said they would, and set off without delay. It was rather a longwalk and the old woman was out of breath when they reached the buildingnear the top of the hill. 

"Watch her, " said the detective to Tom Ostrello, and he and Raymondentered the cottage. As they did so, they stumbled over a person lyingon the floor. 

"Margaret!" burst out the young man and caught his sweetheart in hisarms. Then he gave a gasp, and staggered with his burden to the bed. "She is dead!"

"Dead!" ejaculated Adam Adams. "You are certain?" He placed his earto her heart. "No, she still lives. "

"But what does this mean? Margaret! Margaret! Speak to me! What hashappened to you?"

The girl offered no reply, nor did she open her eyes. She rested onhim and on the bed like a leaden weight. He kissed her fondly, a greatagony filling his soul. 

Adam Adams looked around the room. On the table rested a glass, with adirty substance at the bottom. He tasted the stuff. It was sweetishlybitter. He ran outside. 

"Tell me at once, did Matlock Styles say anything about poisoning thisyoung lady?" he demanded, catching the old woman by the arm. "Thetruth now, remember!"

"No, he didn't say anything. But he had some poison, a powder--you putit in water. It kills a person in six to ten hours, sure. "

"We must have a doctor!"

Tom Ostrello had heard the talk and saw what had happened. 

"I'll get a doctor, if you'll watch the old woman. I can get a horseat Styles' farm. "

"Do it, and hurry!" cried Raymond. "Take the best horse and bring thedoctor at once. Tell him it is poison--a powder in water. Offer himany amount of money--"

"I will!" Ostrello shouted back. He was running down the hill pathwith the swiftness of a college sprinter. In a moment the bushes hidhim from sight. 

Adam Adams was talking to the old woman. "You know about the poison. Is there nothing we can give her to counteract the effects? Dosomething, and I'll not be so hard on you when you stand up for trial. "

"I can do nothing. But wait, yes, I can! Make a fire, and boil somewater!"

She ran to the back of the cottage and to some bushes growing close athand. With her bare hands she dug at the roots and tore them up, stripping off the bark with her teeth. Adam Adams comprehended, andlit a fire and set on the kettle to boil. Then the roots were placedin the boiling water. 

"Make her drink--it will do her good, " said the old woman. "I swear itwill help, at least a little--until the doctor comes. " And withshaking hands, she poured the concoction she had made into a saucer tocool. 

It was no easy matter to get Margaret to swallow, but after a while itwas accomplished, and her heart appeared to beat a trifle moresteadily. But still she did not rouse up or open her eyes, and Raymondwas as depressed as before. 

"We can't overcome the effects of the drug, " he groaned. "Oh, if onlythe doctor would come!"

"Give her some more, " said the old woman. "Give her all of it, " andthis was done. 

Slowly the time dragged by, until they heard a shouting in thedistance, followed by a pistol shot. Then two horses burst into view, one ridden by Ostrello, and the other by a doctor who lived not a greatdistance away. 

"I will do all I can, " said the physician, as he leaped to the ground. He set to work at once, meanwhile questioning the old woman regardingwhat had already been done. "That was all right--it has helped to putthe patient into a perspiration and keep up the heart action. "

"Another doctor is also coming, " said Ostrello to Raymond and thedetective. 

"In that case I'll join my men, " came from Adam Adams. "By that pistolshot something must be doing. I will be back later. See that that oldwoman does not get away. " And he was off. 

Something was indeed doing. The old mill had been surrounded and thechief of police had entered the building, followed by several other menof the party. The counterfeiters were taken by surprise, but they didnot give up at once. Some began to fight, and in the melee two wereseriously wounded. Then all but three surrendered, these three doingwhat they could to get out by a back way. One of the three was MatlockStyles. 

The three men came out in the woods, and one was quickly shot in theleg, and fell headlong among the trees. Seeing this the second manshouted that he would surrender, and threw up his arms as a signal. 

"You bloomin' fool! I'll not surrender!" cried Matlock Styles, and ranon, through the woods, and up the hill that led to the cottage. 

He was still some distance off, when Adam Adams saw him coming. Thedetective had his pistol in his hand. 

"Stop, Styles, or I'll fire on you!" he called out. 

For an answer the Englishman raised his own pistol and fired pointblank, the bullet cutting through the loose flap of Adam Adams' coat. Then the Englishman went down, with a bullet in his left side. WhenAdam Adams ran up to him he was twisting and breathing heavily. 

"You've done me up, hang you!" he gasped. "Oh, if I only could get atyou!" and he tried to crawl towards his pistol, but Adam Adams promptlykicked it out of the way. 

"You're down and out, Styles, " said the detective. "It won't do youany good to squirm. You're in the hands of the law. "

"What for, counterfeiting?"

"That and worse. "

"Worse?"

"Yes, a good deal worse. Murder!"

By nightfall all of the prisoners were either in the jail or at thehospital at Sidham. Some of the secret service authorities from NewYork had arrived, and to them Adam Adams turned over the case, so faras it related to the counterfeiters. 

"I did not start out to round up such a gang, " he said, in speaking ofthe affair to Mr. Breslow, some days later. "I came here to clear upthe murder mystery. "

"But you get the credit, Adams, " said the head of the secret servicedetail. "And you deserve it. But do you think you are going toconvict Matlock Styles of the tragedy?"

"It's a sure thing. The _alibi_ won't bother me, for I can now proveit was a bogus one. John Watkins got the poison for him, and promisedto impersonate him at Stony Hill, while the crime was being committed. He did it, but I have found two people who thought it was not Stylesafter all. Watkins himself is willing to testify that he did theimpersonating. "

"How did they happen to use that strange powder?"

"Watkins got it from a friend of his, who afterwards mentioned the factto Tom Ostrello. When Styles got it I suppose he thought the use of itmight throw suspicion on Ostrello, which it did. Then suspicion wasalso thrown on Miss Langmore, so that the general public might gettangled up. "

"Did Styles write that note, which was supposed to have been written byMr. Langmore, saying she must obey or leave the house?"

"Yes. He is an expert penman, and most likely a regular forger as wellas counterfeiter. He only made a mistake when he drank too much. "

"Did Watkins know any of the details of the murder?"

"Yes. After it was over, Styles came to him and told his story, beinghalf drunk at the time. He said he left home and came through thewoods, where he saw Tom Ostrello just coming from the Langmore mansion. As soon as the coast seemed clear, he ran past the bushes and got inthe house by a window. He found Mr. Langmore in the library and askedagain for the counterfeits. Langmore said he was going to give them tothe authorities, and expose Styles. Then the Englishman said he wouldexplain, and Langmore sat down in his chair to listen. Styles turnedaround, took some cotton from his pocket, and saturated it with thepowder, and sprang at Langmore from behind. The victim struggled andgot his face scratched from the Englishman's ring. Langmore was nomatch for his assailant, and in a minute the murder was done. ThenStyles ran upstairs. He knew the servant was in the barn, and he heardMiss Langmore playing on the piano in the parlor. He met Mrs. Langmorejust coming from her room. She was scared, but before she could screamor resist, he gave her what was left of the powder and she fell overwhere she was found. Then he stepped out of an upper window to the topof the piazza and dropped to the ground, and came away across the brookand through the woods. "

"Then you are bound to convict him. What of Watkins?"

"I'll use him as a witness against Styles in the murder trial and thenyou can have him tried as a counterfeiter. The old woman will alsoprove a good witness. She is so old, and has promised to reform, sothere is no use of our pushing a charge against her. The rest of thecrowd will all get what they deserve. I'm glad we got the bogusprinting plates. "

"Have you heard anything of the Langmore estate?"

"Yes. Mr. Langmore left his wife her legal share, and the balance tohis daughters, Margaret getting a little the larger portion. Mrs. Langmore leaves her money to her sons, one-fourth to Dick, thespendthrift, and three-fourths to Tom. I have also rooted out somepapers among Styles' effects, which will give Tom Ostrello his patentback, and also give some patent rights to Mr. Langmore's estate. I cantell you, Matlock Styles was a deep one. It was only once in a greatwhile that he drank and bungled. "

"Well, the greatest of criminals have their weak spots, you know thatas well as I do. Styles, I suppose, also got up that bogus confession, signed in Miss Langmore's name. "

"He did. When he found the girl wouldn't marry him, he was wild andready for any treachery. "

"And how is the girl doing?"

"I am going to see now. "

When out on the street, Adam Adams ran into Tom Ostrello, arm in armwith Letty. He was amazed for an instant, and then his face broke intoa smile. 

"I just couldn't help it, Uncle Adam!" cried the girl. "I had to comehere to congratulate Tom on his escape. "

"Well, I don't blame you, Letty. Yes, it has turned out well for you. I hope it turns out as well for Miss Langmore and Mr. Case. "

Margaret was again at Martha Sampson's cottage. When the detectiveentered he heard a murmur of voices in one of the upper rooms. He ranupstairs, to find the girl sitting up in bed and Raymond by her side. The young man's face was filled with happiness. 

"Come in! Come in!" he cried joyously. "She has come around allright, Mr. Adams. She is a little weak still, but the doctor says shewill be well as ever in a week or ten days. The good news has bracedher up wonderfully. "

"And all due to you, Mr. Adams, " said the girl. "Oh, how can I everthank you enough?" She clasped his hand warmly. "You are so good!"

"This is certainly famous, " he replied, sitting down at the foot of thebed. "It's the best news yet. I have just left one happy couple andhere I find another. "

"You mean Tom Ostrello and that young lady from your office?" askedRaymond. And then, as the detective nodded, he went on: "I met them, and I asked them to come here. Margaret wanted to see them. "

"I wish Tom to know that I want to be friends, always, " said Margaret. "We have had enough of trouble in the family. And when he getsmarried, I want to be friends with his wife, too. "

"I am glad to hear that, for I know it will please Letty and she is agood girl. It may be-- Here they come, now!"

A minute later the newcomers were ushered into the sick room, and thetwo girls, who had never met, were introduced to each other. It was ahappy meeting all around, and the lovers were all as devoted as loverscan well be. Seeing this, Adam Adams thought it about time to leave. 

"I am going now, " he said, and stopped at the door. 

"So soon?" asked Margaret. 

"Yes, I have another important case on hand, " answered Adam Adams. 

"Another case?" queried Tom Ostrello. "Well, I wish you luck, I amsure. "

"We all do, " chimed in Raymond. 

"What is it?" queried Letty. 

Adam Adams smiled broadly. "As you are no longer connected with theoffice, I cannot tell you, " he said. 

"Maybe I can guess it!" cried Raymond. "The disappearance of JohnDarr--the case all New York is talking about?"

Adam Adams smiled faintly. "You've struck it, " he said. "It is awonderful case, and will demand all of my attention. But I'll be backtomorrow. In the meantime, I want you all to remember that you owe mean invitation. "

"An invitation to what?" asked both girls, in a breath, and knowingperfectly well what he meant. 

"An invitation to the weddings, when they come off. "

"Oh!" came in a little feminine shriek. 

"Well, you get them, " said Raymond. 

"Indeed, he does, " said Tom. 

And he did.