ney I think it only fare to let you know
how much yore Ant Matildy who wus always gud an kined to you
is now in knead of help the farm is goin to rack an ruin
sence you lef and I want you to sen me a hundred dollars as
sune as this reaches you as I knead it dredful It would be
better for you and for Doctor Mejory too ef the money is sent
rite off as if not I mite tell things I know wich wont be
plessant Matildy Grath"

Unfortunately for Leon's future happiness later in the day Madame
copied this letter carefully, and also noted the postmark on the
envelope. Otherwise the action of Lossy would have left her dependent
upon her memory, to do what she had immediately decided upon. It was
while she was reading over her copy, that Lossy came stealthily
forward, stood upon his hind legs and took the letter, which he had
seen her steal from his master's coat. Before she fully realized her
loss, the dog was scampering along the hall. She followed him into
Leon's room, and used every means to get him from under the bed.
Coaxing failed, and she tried the broomstick, which she was still
using when Leon entered.

But of all this the lad knew nothing. He read the letter again; then
tore it up and threw it into the fire, supposing that the matter ended
there.

CHAPTER IX.

A WIZARD'S KNOWLEDGE.

During the next three months Madame Medjora waited and watched. She
watched for another letter to Leon. She judged the writer by herself,
and she decided that Matilda Grath would not abandon her project,
having once decided that she possessed knowledge, by the judicious use
of which she could extort money. She knew that Leon had no means of
sending her such a sum, and she was sure that Doctor Medjora would
never part with one penny under compulsion. He was a man who ruled
others. He was never to be intimidated. Yet the woman had said that it
would be better for the Doctor too, if the demand were satisfied. How
to construe this she could not tell. Did Matilda Grath know a secret
which the Doctor would wish to have suppressed? Or did the threat
merely mean that the Doctor could be made to suffer through his
affection for Leon? The mention of the Doctor's name in the letter had
a twofold effect. It incited her all the more to carry out her project
and ferret out the secret, if one existed; while on the other hand it
made her hesitate to do that which might bring down the wrath of her
husband upon