as one of my first hard rubs with that heartless old pedagogue,
Experience.

Felix Page had enjoyed--I use the word advisedly--a widespread reputation
for eccentricity. The word, I held a secret conviction, was merely a
polite euphemism to cover his unscrupulous nature. Many acts of his were
condoned, or even laughed at, which would have been nothing short of
outrageous if performed by another. He had been widely exploited as a
"character"; in reality he had been a merciless old skinflint, with a
supreme disregard for the rights or pleasures of others.

Still, it is not to be denied that his eccentricity did reveal itself in
certain ways. After business hours he retired to a forlorn old mansion,
where he lived alone, without kindred (if he had any) or servants, save
for an ancient dame who came of mornings to prepare his breakfasts, and
to discharge, under his nagging supervision, the few domestic duties
necessary to meet his requirements.

Something like a half-hour after leaving the Central Office, I arrived at
the Page place. Stodger, a short, fat, good-natured chap, was awaiting
my arrival--evidently with some impatience, for he was stamping to and
fro before the gate for warmth. As soon as he learned my business he
conducted me up to the house.

On the way he gave me a hasty account of the crime, concerning which he
frankly and whimsically confessed to be very much at sea.

A description of the house and grounds is in order. The location was all
that could be desired, and would have been an ideal place of residence if
rehabilitated from its sorry condition of neglect. The house faced the
north end of Sheridan Park, a glimpse of whose lagoons could be caught
here and there among the leafless trees. It sat well back from the wide
boulevard, and, surrounded as it was by fine old elms and beeches and
maples, it reminded me of some antiquated English country home, such as I
have seen in pictures.

There were any number of chimney clusters; but the general air of the
place was extremely cold and forbidding. Notwithstanding it was
mid-winter and that an inch or more of snow lay on the ground, there was
not a wisp of smoke above any of the chimneys to indicate the welcome
presence of a fire below.

A high iron fence extending along the front of the property was divided
by a carriage entrance and a smaller gate for pedestrians. The former,
barring the way to a weed- and grass-grown drive, was hermetically