it.

It contained a brief note, to this effect:

"A recent trial indicates that Mr. Stirling needs neither praise
not reward as incentives for the doing of noble deeds.

"But one who prefers to remain unknown cannot restrain her
grateful thanks to Mr. Stirling for what he did; and being
debarred from such acts herself, asks that at least she may be
permitted to aid him in them by enclosing a counsel fee for 'the
case of the tenement children of New York against the inhumanity
of men's greed.'

"September third."

Peter looked at the enclosure, and found it was a check for five hundred
dollars. He laid it on his desk, and read the note over again. It was
beyond question written by a lady. Every earmark showed that, from the
delicate scent of the paper, to the fine, even handwriting. Peter wanted
to know who she was. He looked at the check to see by whom it was
signed; to find that it was drawn by the cashier of the bank at which it
was payable.

Half an hour later, a rapid walk had brought him to the bank the name of
which was on the check. It was an uptown one, which made a specialty of
family and women's accounts. Peter asked for the cashier.

"I've called about this check," he said, when that official
materialized, handing the slip of paper to him.

"Yes," said the cashier kindly, though with a touch of the resigned
sorrow in his voice which cashiers of "family's" and women's banks
acquire. "You must sign your name on the back, on the left-hand end, and
present it to the paying-teller, over at that window. You'll have to be
identified if the paying-teller doesn't know you."

"I don't want the money," said Peter, "I want to know who sent the check
to me?"

The cashier looked at it more carefully. "Oh!" he said. Then he looked
up quickly at Peter? with considerable interest, "Are you Mr. Stirling?"

"Yes."

"Well, I filled this up by order of the president, and you'll have to
see him about it, if you want more than the money."

"Can I see him?"

"Come this way."

They went into a small office at the end of the bank.

"Mr. Dyer," said the cashier, "this is Mr. Stirling, and he's come to
see about that check."

"Glad to see you, Mr. Stirling. Sit down."

"I wish to learn who sent the check."

"Very sorry we can't oblige you. We had positive instructions from the
person for whom we drew it, that no name was to be given."

"Can you receive a letter?"

"That w