an admirable show
of indifference he pretended to consult the paper between them--"the
seventeenth of July, two years ago, and I shall be satisfied."

"I was at the club for one thing," said Mr. T-; "then I went to see a
lady friend, where I stayed until eleven. She wore a blue muslin--What
is that?"

I had betrayed myself by a quick movement which sent a glass tumbler
crashing to the floor. Zulma Zabriskie had worn a blue muslin on
that same night. You will find it noted in the report given me by the
policeman who saw her on their balcony.

"That noise?" It was Joe who was speaking. "You don't know Reuben as
well as I do or you wouldn't ask. It is his practice, I am sorry to say,
to accentuate his pleasure in draining my bottles by dropping a glass at
every third one."

Mr. T---- went on.

"She was a married woman and I thought she loved me; but--and this is
the greatest proof I can offer you that I am giving you a true account
of that night--she had not the slightest idea of the extent of my
passion, and only consented to see me at all because she thought,
poor thing, that a word from her would set me straight, and rid her
of attentions she evidently failed to appreciate. A sorry figure for a
fellow like me to cut; but you caught me on the most detestable date in
my calendar and--"

There he ceased being interesting and I anxious. The secret of a crime
for which there seemed to be no reasonable explanation is no longer a
mystery to me. I have but to warn Miss Strange--

He had got thus far when a sound in the room behind him led him to look
up. A lady had entered; a lady heavily veiled and trembling with what
appeared to be an intense excitement.

He thought he knew the figure, but the person, whoever it was, stood so
still and remained so silent, he hesitated to address her; which seeing,
she pushed up her veil and all doubt vanished.

It was Violet herself. In disregard of her usual practice she had
come alone to the office. This meant urgency of some kind. Had she too
sounded this mystery? No, or her aspect would not have worn this look
of triumph. What had happened then? He made an instant endeavour to find
out.

"You have news," he quietly remarked. "Good news, I should judge, by
your very cheery smile."

"Yes; I think I have found the way of bringing Dr. Zabriskie to
himself."

Astonished beyond measure, so little did these words harmonize with the
impressions and conclusions at which he had ju