nished reception-room leading from the hall.

A few minutes later a sorrowful, despondent-looking gentleman entered,
and politely, although somewhat absently, saluted his caller.

He did not look much like the upright, energetic and affable gentleman
who had so courteously served the elegant Mrs. Vanderbeck a few weeks
previous.

His face was wan and drawn with anguish, his cheeks were hollow, his eyes
sunken, heavy and lusterless; his form was bowed, his steps feeble and
faltering.

After saluting Doctor Wesselhoff, he threw himself, with a heavy sigh,
into a chair, where he immediately became absorbed in his own painful
thoughts, appearing to forget that there was any one present, or that
there were duties devolving upon him as host.

"Mr. Palmer," said the physician, breaking in upon his sorrowful reverie,
"my name is Wesselhoff, and I have called to consult with you regarding
the very peculiar circumstances connected with your son's disappearance."

Amos Palmer was like one electrified upon hearing this. He sat erect, and
stared with wondering eyes at his companion, and began to tremble
violently.

"My son! my son!" he cried, in quavering tones. "Oh, if you can tell me
_anything_--if you can tell me that he--lives," the word was scarcely
audible, "you will put new life into me."

"Tell me his full name, if you please," said Doctor Wesselhoff, who was
scarcely less excited than the trembling man before him.

"Raymond Palmer."

"Describe him to me."

Amos Palmer gave him a minute description of the young man as he appeared
on the day that he had been trapped into the physician's house, even to
the clothing which he had worn, and the doctor was at last convinced
that, all unwittingly, he had assisted in the perpetration of a double
crime.

"Yes," he said, when the eager father had concluded, and feeling that he
must at once relieve the terrible suspense under which his companion was
laboring; "your son lives, and is longing to see his father."

"Oh, then, I have nothing more to wish for--the world will be bright to
me once more, for he was my all, Doctor Wesselhoff--my last, and best
beloved. I have laid six children in the grave, and all my hopes were
centered in Ray. My boy! my boy! I am content to know that you live--that
you are not lost to me!"

The over-wrought man broke down utterly at this point, bowed his face
upon his hands, and sobbed almost convulsively.

Doctor Wesselhoff was also greatl