his own estimation.

Naturally he had read with avidity all the various newspaper accounts
of the supposed murder of Mabel Sloane, and it was with considerable
satisfaction that he had read the name upon the card intrusted to him
to be taken to his employers. It seemed to him that at last fortune
had placed an opportunity within his grasp. Here was a man, suspected
of a great crime, whom the great Metropolitan detective force had
entirely failed to locate. From what he had read of Dr. Medjora, he
quickly decided that, though he might consult Messrs. Dudley & Bliss,
he would not intrust them with his address. Jack Barnes determined to
follow the Doctor when he should leave the office. Thus it was, that
he was absent when Mr. Bliss inquired for him.

Descending by the elevator--a contrivance oddly named, since it takes
one down as well as up,--he stationed himself in a secluded corner,
whence he could keep watch upon the several exits from the building.
Presently, he saw Dr. Medjora step from the elevator, and leave the
building, after casting his eyes keenly about him, from which
circumstance Barnes thought it best not to follow his man too closely.
When, therefore, he saw the Doctor jump upon a Third Avenue horse-car,
he contented himself with taking the next one following, and riding
upon the front platform.

He saw nothing of Dr. Medjora until the Harlem terminus was reached.
Here his man alighted and walked rapidly across the bridge over the
river, Barnes following by the footpath on the opposite side, keeping
the heavy timbers of the span between them as a screen. But, however
careful Dr. Medjora had been to look behind him when leaving the
lawyers' offices, he evidently felt secure now, for he cast no anxious
glances backward. Thus Barnes shadowed him with comparative ease,
several blocks uptown, and then down a cross street, until at last he
disappeared in a house surrounded by many large trees.

Barnes stopped at the tumbled-down gate, which, swinging on one hinge,
offered little hindrance to one who wished to enter. He looked at the
house with curiosity. Old Colonial in architecture, it had evidently
once been the summer home of wealthy folks. Now the sashless windows
and rotting eaves marked it scarcely more than a habitat for crows or
night owls. Wondering why Dr. Medjora should visit such a place, he
was suddenly astonished to hear the sound of wheels rapidly
approaching. Peeping back, he saw a stylish t