n.

"Do you remember giving your card to any lady with such a bag?"

Mrs. Purvis smiled. "So many of your American women carry those bags,"
she said; "they seem to be almost universal this year. I have probably
given my card to a score of ladies, who immediately put it into just
such a bag."

"Could you tell me who they are?"

"No, indeed;" and Mrs. Purvis almost laughed outright, at what was
doubtless a foolish question.

"But can't you help me in any way?" I pleaded.

"I don't really see how I can," she replied. "You see I have so many
friends in New York, and they make little parties for me, or afternoon
teas. Then I meet a great many American ladies, and we often exchange
cards. But we do it so often that of course I can't remember every
particular instance. Have you the card you speak of?"

I thanked my stars that I had been thoughtful enough to obtain the card
before leaving West Sedgwick, and taking it from my pocket-book, I gave
it to her.

"Oh, that one!" she said; "perhaps I can help you a little, Mr.
Burroughs. That is an old-fashioned card, one of a few left over from an
old lot. I have been using them only lately, because my others gave
out. I have really gone much more into society in New York than I had
anticipated, and my cards seemed fairly to melt away. I ordered some new
ones here, but before they were sent to me I was obliged to use a few of
these old-fashioned ones. I don't know that this would help you, but I
think I can tell pretty nearly to whom I gave those cards."

It seemed a precarious sort of a chance, but as I talked with Mrs.
Purvis, I felt more and more positive that she herself was not
implicated in the Crawford case. However, it was just as well to make
certain. She had gone to her writing-desk, and seemed to be looking over
a diary or engagement book.

"Mrs. Purvis," I said, "will you tell me where you were on Tuesday
evening of last week?"

"Certainly;" and she turned back the leaves of the book. "I went to a
theatre party with my friends, the Hepworths; and afterward, we went to
a little supper at a restaurant. I returned here about midnight. Must I
prove this?" she added, smiling; "for I can probably do so, by the hotel
clerk and by my maid. And, of course, by my friends who gave the party."

"No, you needn't prove it," I answered, certain now that she knew
nothing of the Crawford matter; "but I hope you can give me more
information about your card."

"Why, I rememb