purchase so many diamonds at one time," said the physician, thoughtfully.

"She did not pretend that she wished to buy all that she laid out, only
that her selections from the lot were to be made with the advice and
sanction of her husband; and in this way--don't you see?--the clever
sharper got possession of a great deal more than she would otherwise have
done."

"True, she showed herself very shrewd. But your son has in his possession
a clew, though a very slender one, which may possibly lead to a solution
of the mystery. It is a small piece of cloth that was torn from the
woman's dress," Doctor Wesselhoff returned.

"I am afraid that won't amount to much, for, probably, if the woman is
still in New York, which I doubt, she will never wear that dress again,"
Mr. Palmer responded. "But," he continued, cheerfully, "I shall not
complain as long as I am to have Ray back again. I fully believed that he
had been murdered. My loss I can never tell you what anguish I have
endured, for will of course eat deeply into the profits of my business
for this year, but that is of comparatively little consequence. I am more
troubled to have such wickedness prosper than I am about any pecuniary
loss."

The carriage stopped just then, and the conversation ended. Both
gentlemen alighted, and Doctor Wesselhoff led the way into his house, and
straight up to the chamber which Ray occupied.

He had not aroused once during the doctor's absence, but awoke almost
immediately after their entrance, and the meeting between the father and
son was both joyful and tender.

Neither had ever before realized how much they were to each other, or
believed that life could be so dark if they were separated.

Doctor Wesselhoff would not allow them to talk very much that night, for
he said that his patient was liable to have a relapse if he became too
weary or was subjected to too much excitement; so Mr. Palmer was
permitted to remain only a short time with him, but promised to return
again at as early an hour in the morning as the physician would allow.

He visited Ray twice every day after that, and both father and son were
fully convinced of the truth and honesty of purpose of the noted
specialist, who had given Ray such excellent care, and whose interest
in him continued to increase throughout his recovery.

The Palmers found him very genial and entertaining, and an enduring
friendship grew up between the three.

Ray improved very rapidly, and