ey had met
with no better success than I. Mr. Graham noticed my dejected
appearance, and spoke a word of comfort.

"I think you're on the right track, Lester," he said. "But you can't
hope to do much by yourself--it's too big a job. Wouldn't it be better
to employ half a dozen private detectives, and put them under your
supervision? You could save yourself this nerve-trying work, and at
the same time get over the ground much more rapidly. Besides,
experienced men may be able to suggest something that you've
overlooked."

I had thought of that--I had wondered if I were making the best
possible use of my opportunities--and the suggestion tempted me. But
something rose within me--pride, ambition, stubbornness, what you
will--and I shook my head, determined to hang on. Besides, I had still
before me that battle of wits with Martigny, and I was resolved to
make the most of it.

"Let me keep on by myself a day or two longer, sir," I said. "I
believe I'll succeed yet. If I don't there will still be time to call
in outside help. I fancy I've made a beginning, and I want to see what
comes of it."

He shook me kindly by the hand.

"I like your grit," he said approvingly, "and I've every confidence in
you--it wasn't lack of confidence that prompted the suggestion. Only
don't overdo the thing, and break down as Royce has. He's better, by
the way, but the doctor says that he must take a long vacation--a
thorough rest."

"I'm glad he's better. I'll be careful," I assented, and left the
office.

While I waited for a car I bought a copy of the last edition of the
_Sun_--from force of habit, more than anything; then, settling myself
in a seat--still from force of habit--I turned to the financial column
and looked it over. There was nothing of special interest there, and I
turned back to the general news, glancing carelessly from item to
item. Suddenly one caught my eye which brought me up with a shock. The
item read:

Shortly after ten o'clock this morning, a man ran up
the steps of the Cortlandt Street station of the Sixth
Avenue Elevated, in the effort to catch an uptown train
just pulling out, and dropped over on the platform with
heart disease. An ambulance was called from the Hudson
Street Hospital and the man taken there. At noon, it
was said he would recover. He was still too weak to
talk, but among other things, a card of the Cafe
Jourdain, 54 West Houston Street, was fo