pprehension deepened. When at last she dropped the
letter, her hands were trembling visibly, and her face was pale and
agitated. For a moment she sat in silence, her eyes full of fear and
her hands working nervously. Then she seemed to recover herself by a
powerful effort of will. Taking up the letter, she placed it in the
hand of Mrs. Keith, saying: "Read it, dear friend."

Mrs. Keith took the letter and read:

NEW YORK, Dec. 7th.

WM. ALLYNE, ESQ.,

_Dear Sir:_--A man assuming to be a lawyer called on me this
afternoon, and requested information regarding our friend,
Mrs. Ralston. If I am not much mistaken he is in reality a
detective--I think I remember him in the Mallory case--and
is, doubtless, looking up evidence in regard to the lady's
second and most unfortunate marriage, either at the
instigation of her vagabond husband or some of his supposed
heirs.

If you know the present address of Mrs. R., it would be well
to communicate with her, as some of her old servants are now
in this city, at service, and this fellow might ferret out
something through them.

Having no authority to act in the matter, I could do no more
than baffle this man's inquiries so far as I was concerned,
much as I desire to serve the lady when I know the way.

One thing: the fellow evidently believes in the story of her
death.

Yours, etc., J. M. LORD.

The three, Mrs. Ralston, Claire and Mr. Allyne, listened in silence
while Mrs. Keith read this letter. When at last she raised her eyes,
Mrs. Ralston said:

"I must go to New York immediately, Mrs. Keith, and do, pray, allow
Claire to accompany me. I must accept of the hospitality of Mrs.
Girard, and I can not go alone."

Mrs. Keith looked grave for a moment. Then, she said: "Mr. Allyne, is
it necessary that Mrs. Ralston should go at once?"

"I think it advisable," replied Mr. Allyne. "Once in New York, Lord
can receive Mrs. Ralston's instructions, and act for her. In cases
like these I don't think it is best to trust to correspondence."

"And, oh! don't let us delay a moment! Once there, I can keep my old
servants, who are all true friends, from inadvertently betraying me.
And I can trust Mr. Lord to find out who is the instigator of this
search," said Mrs. Ralston, eagerly. "Mr. Allyne, when can we start;
how soon?