on the floor directly in front of this window--a proof of his cupidity
but also proof of his ill-luck. For this wallet, when lifted and opened,
was found to contain two hundred or more dollars in old bills, which, if
not the full hoard of their industrious owner, was certainly worth the
taking by one who had risked his neck for the sole purpose of theft.

"This wallet, and the flight of the murderer without it, give to this
affair, otherwise simply brutal, a dramatic interest which will be
appreciated not only by the very able detectives already hot upon the
chase, but by all other inquiring minds anxious to solve a mystery of
which so estimable a woman has been the unfortunate victim. A problem is
presented to the police--"

There Violet stopped.

When, not long after, the superb limousine of Peter Strange stopped
before the little house in Seventeenth Street, it caused a veritable
sensation, not only in the curiosity-mongers lingering on the sidewalk,
but to the two persons within--the officer on guard and a belated
reporter.

Though dressed in her plainest suit, Violet Strange looked much too
fashionable and far too young and thoughtless to be observed, without
emotion, entering a scene of hideous and brutal crime. Even the young
man who accompanied her promised to bring a most incongruous element
into this atmosphere of guilt and horror, and, as the detective on guard
whispered to the man beside him, might much better have been left behind
in the car.

But Violet was great for the proprieties and young Arthur followed her
in.

Her entrance was a coup du theatre. She had lifted her veil in crossing
the sidewalk and her interesting features and general air of timidity
were very fetching. As the man holding open the door noted the
impression made upon his companion, he muttered with sly facetiousness:

"You think you'll show her nothing; but I'm ready to bet a fiver that
she'll want to see it all and that you'll show it to her."

The detective's grin was expressive, notwithstanding the shrug with
which he tried to carry it off.

And Violet? The hall into which she now stepped from the most vivid
sunlight had never been considered even in its palmiest days as
possessing cheer even of the stately kind. The ghastly green light
infused through it by the coloured glass on either side of the doorway
seemed to promise yet more dismal things beyond.

"Must I go in there?" she asked, pointing, with an admirable sim