ion for
you yet."

With the best intentions, Miss Mybus found no opportunity of helping me.
Of the two, Priscilla Thurlby seemed more likely to be of use.

In the first place, she was sharp and active, and (not having succeeded
in getting another situation as yet) was mistress of her own movements.

In the second place, she was a woman I could trust. Before she left home
to try domestic service in London, the parson of her native parish gave
her a written testimonial, of which I append a copy. Thus it ran:

"I gladly recommend Priscilla Thurlby for any respectable employment
which she may be competent to undertake. Her father and mother are
infirm old people, who have lately suffered a diminution of their
income; and they have a younger daughter to maintain. Rather than be
a burden on her parents, Priscilla goes to London to find domestic
employment, and to devote her earnings to the assistance of her father
and mother. This circumstance speaks for itself. I have known the family
many years; and I only regret that I have no vacant place in my own
household which I can offer to this good girl,

(Signed) "HENRY DEERINGTON, Rector of Roth."

After reading those words, I could safely ask Priscilla to help me in
reopening the mysterious murder case to some good purpose.

My notion was that the proceedings of the persons in Mrs. Crosscapel's
house had not been closely enough inquired into yet. By way of
continuing the investigation, I asked Priscilla if she could tell
me anything which associated the housemaid with Mr. Deluc. She was
unwilling to answer. "I may be casting suspicion on an innocent person,"
she said. "Besides, I was for so short a time the housemaid's fellow
servant--"

"You slept in the same room with her," I remarked; "and you had
opportunities of observing her conduct toward the lodgers. If they had
asked you, at the examination, what I now ask, you would have answered
as an honest woman."

To this argument she yielded. I heard from her certain particulars,
which threw a new light on Mr. Deluc, and on the case generally. On that
information I acted. It was slow work, owing to the claims on me of my
regular duties; but with Priscilla's help, I steadily advanced toward
the end I had in view.

Besides this, I owed another obligation to Mrs. Crosscapel's
nice-looking cook. The confession must be made sooner or later--and
I may as well make it now. I first knew what love was, thanks to
Priscilla.