第15章 BOOK I:AS SEEN BY TWO STRANGERS(15)

The girl remembers distinctly seeing its peculiarly chased handle projecting from its pages.Could anything be more satisfactory if -I was going to say,if the young lady had been of the impulsive type and the provocation greater.But Miss Challoner's nature was calm,and were it not for these letters -"here his arm shifted a little -"I should not be so sure of my jury's future verdict.

Love -"he went on,after a moment of silent consideration of a letter he had chosen from those before him,"disturbs the most equable natures.When it enters as a factor,we can expect anything -as you know.And Miss Challoner evidently was much attached to her correspondent,and naturally felt the reproach conveyed in these lines."And Dr.Heath read:

"Dear Miss Challoner:

"Only a man of small spirit could endure what I endured from you the other day.Love such as mine would be respectable in a clod-hopper,and I think that even you will acknowledge that Istand somewhat higher than that.Though I was silent under your disapprobation,you shall yet have your answer.It will not lack point because of its necessary delay."A threat!

The words sprang from Sweetwater,and were evidently involuntary.

Dr.Heath paid no notice,but Mr.Gryce,in shifting his hands on his cane top,gave them a sidelong look which was not without a hint of fresh interest in a case concerning which he had believed himself to have said his last word.

"It is the only letter of them all which conveys anything like a reproach,"proceeded the coroner."The rest are ardent enough and,I must acknowledge that,so far as I have allowed myself to look into them,sufficiently respectful.Her surprise must consequently have been great at receiving these lines,and her resentment equally so.If the two met afterwards -But I have not shown you the signature.To the poor father it conveyed nothing -some facts have been kept from him -but to us -"here he whirled the letter about so that Sweetwater,at least,could see the name,"it conveys a hope that we may yet understand Miss Challoner.""Brotherson!"exclaimed the young detective in loud surprise.

"Brotherson!The man who -"

"The man who left this building just before or simultaneously with the alarm caused by Miss Challoner's fall.It clears away some of the clouds befogging us.She probably caught sight of him in the lobby,and in the passion of the moment forgot her usual instincts and drove the sharp-pointed weapon into her heart.

"Brotherson!"The word came softly now,and with a thoughtful intonation."He saw her die.""Why do you say that?"

"Would he have washed his hands in the snow if he had been in ignorance of the occurrence?He was the real,if not active,cause of her death and he knew it.Either he -Excuse me,Dr.Heath and Mr.Gryce,it is not for me to obtrude my opinion.""Have you settled it beyond dispute that Brotherson is really the man who was seen doing this?""No,sir.I have not had a minute for that job,but I'm ready for the business any time you see fit to spare me.""Let it be to-morrow,or,if you can manage it,to-night.We want the man even if he is not the hero of that romantic episode.He wrote these letters,and he must explain the last one.His initials,as you see,are not ordinary ones,and you will find them at the bottom of all these sheets.He was brave enough or arrogant enough to sign the questionable one with his full name.This may speak well for him,and it may not.It is for you to decide that.Where will you look for him,Sweetwater?No one here knows his address.""Not Miss Challoner's maid?"

"No;the name is a new one to her.But she made it very evident that she was not surprised to hear that her mistress was in secret correspondence with a member of the male sex.Much can be hidden from servants,but not that.""I'll find the man;I have a double reason for doing that now;he shall not escape me."Dr.Heath expressed his satisfaction,and gave some orders.

Meanwhile,Mr.Gryce had not uttered a word.

VIII

STRANGE DOINGS FOR GEORGE

That evening George sat so long over the newspapers that in spite of my absorbing interest in the topic engrossing me,I fell asleep in my cozy little rocking chair.I was awakened by what seemed like a kiss falling very softly on my forehead,though,to be sure,it may have been only the flap of George's coat sleeve as he stooped over me.

"Wake up,little woman,"I heard,"and trot away to bed.I'm going out and may not be in till daybreak.""You!going out!at ten o'clock at night,tired as you are -as we both are!What has happened-Oh!"This broken exclamation escaped me as I perceived in the dim background by the sitting-room door,the figure of a man who called up recent,but very thrilling experiences.

"Mr.Sweetwater,"explained George."We are going out together.It is necessary,or you may be sure I should not leave you.

I was quite wide awake enough by now to understand."Oh,I know.

You are going to hunt up the man.How I wish -"But George did not wait for me to express my wishes.He gave me a little good advice as to how I had better employ my time in his absence,and was off before I could find words to answer.

This ends all I have to say about myself;but the events of that night carefully related to me by George are important enough for me to describe them,with all the detail which is their rightful due.

I shall tell the story as I have already been led to do in other portions of this narrative,as though I were present and shared the adventure.

As soon as the two were in the street,the detective turned towards George and said:

"Mr.Anderson,I have a great deal to ask of you.The business before us is not a simple one,and I fear that I shall have to subject you to more inconvenience than is customary in matters like this.Mr.Brotherson has vanished;that is,in his own proper person,but I have an idea that I am on the track of one who will lead us very directly to him if we manage the affair carefully.