is to be a
costume masquerade, and Mitchel has promised to send all of the men to
his costumer for their dresses. He ordered an Ali Baba dress. Thauret
left no order, saying he would not attend. I ordered an Aladdin costume.
If you do not decide to attend I can countermand the order, but I
thought you might find it advantageous to be present. With Aladdin's
wonderful lamp you might shed some light upon the mystery. Pardon the
joke. The afternoon and evening were spent by Mitchel and Thauret at
their club. Again they played whist and again they lost. S----.

"The young ladies spent the morning at a fashionable dressmaker's on
Madison Avenue. I have picked up an acquaintance with a servant girl who
lives in one of the flats in Thirtieth Street house, and from her I
learn that Miss Remsen's new maid tells her that the affair at the Van
Rawlston house will be a costume masquerade, all parties assuming
characters from the Arabian Nights. Miss Emily Remsen will appear as
Scheherezade. W----."

Mr. Barnes turned two pages at this point, evidently considering that
nothing of special moment was contained in the reports covering the next
few days. He began again.

"Dec. 30. Mr. Mitchel came out of his hotel at ten o'clock, and crossed
over to Jersey City, taking an express for Philadelphia. I of course
took same train. S----.

"The Miss Remsens were at home all day. They are busy on their costumes
for the coming entertainment. W----.

"Dec. 31. Telegram from Philadelphia. 'Mitchel at Lafayette Hotel. Is
sick in bed. Doctor in attendance. Sent a telegram to Miss Remsen
telling her that he cannot be on hand to-morrow night.' S----.

"Thauret went to Union Square costumer yesterday and obtained the Ali
Baba costume ordered for Mitchel. He gave the costumer a letter which he
had received from Mitchel, dated at Philadelphia yesterday. It reads:
'Friend Thauret, I am suddenly taken ill. Don't let the Remsens know
that it is anything serious. Oblige me, if possible, by attending the
Arabian Night festival. I enclose my invitation and a note to Mr. Van
Rawlston, which will introduce you. You may wear my costume, and the
costumer will give it to you if you present this. You were to have gone
out of town I know, but if you wish to do me a favor I hope you will
change your plans and take my place. I do not wish Miss Remsen to be
entirely unattended. Therefore be with her as much as you can. She will
be dressed as Scheherezade.