lecting a moment, searched the pocket
of the lifeless woman, and found therein a large key which, on being
applied to the door, opened it easily. The fire was out, but the
moonlight entered the quarried window, and made patterns upon the floor.
The rays enabled them to see that the room into which they had entered
was pretty well furnished, it being the same room that Elfride had
visited alone two or three evenings earlier. They deposited their still
burden on an old-fashioned couch which stood against the wall, and
Knight searched about for a lamp or candle. He found a candle on a
shelf, lighted it, and placed it on the table.

Both Knight and Lord Luxellian examined the pale countenance
attentively, and both were nearly convinced that there was no hope. No
marks of violence were visible in the casual examination they made.

'I think that as I know where Doctor Granson lives,' said Lord
Luxellian, 'I had better run for him whilst you stay here.'

Knight agreed to this. Lord Luxellian then went off, and his hurrying
footsteps died away. Knight continued bending over the body, and a few
minutes longer of careful scrutiny perfectly satisfied him that
the woman was far beyond the reach of the lancet and the drug. Her
extremities were already beginning to get stiff and cold. Knight covered
her face, and sat down.

The minutes went by. The essayist remained musing on all the occurrences
of the night. His eyes were directed upon the table, and he had seen
for some time that writing-materials were spread upon it. He now noticed
these more particularly: there were an inkstand, pen, blotting-book,
and note-paper. Several sheets of paper were thrust aside from the rest,
upon which letters had been begun and relinquished, as if their form had
not been satisfactory to the writer. A stick of black sealing-wax
and seal were there too, as if the ordinary fastening had not been
considered sufficiently secure. The abandoned sheets of paper lying as
they did open upon the table, made it possible, as he sat, to read the
few words written on each. One ran thus:

'SIR,--As a woman who was once blest with a dear son of her own, I
implore you to accept a warning----'

Another:

'SIR,--If you will deign to receive warning from a stranger before it is
too late to alter your course, listen to----'

The third:

'SIR,--With this letter I enclose to you another which, unaided by any
explanation from me, tells a startling tale.