h from rising to my face at the
suddenness of this question.

"I thought as much," he went on. "Being neither a relative nor
acknowledged friend, I took it for granted he must occupy some such
position as that in the family."

"I do not see why you should draw such an inference," said I, anxious
to determine how much he knew about him. "Mr. Clavering is a stranger in
town; has not even been in this country long; has indeed had no time to
establish himself upon any such footing as you suggest."

"This is not the only time Mr. Clavering has been in New York. He was
here a year ago to my certain knowledge."

"You know that?"

"Yes."

"How much more do you know? Can it be possible I am groping blindly
about for facts which are already in your possession? I pray you listen
to my entreaties, Mr. Gryce, and acquaint me at once with what I want to
know. You will not regret it. I have no selfish motive in this matter.
If I succeed, the glory shall be yours; it I fail, the shame of the
defeat shall be mine."

"That is fair," he muttered. "And how about the reward?"

"My reward will be to free an innocent woman from the imputation of
crime which hangs over her."

This assurance seemed to satisfy him. His voice and appearance changed;
for a moment he looked quite confidential. "Well, well," said he; "and
what is it you want to know?"

"I should first like to know how your suspicions came to light on him
at all. What reason had you for thinking a gentleman of his bearing and
position was in any way connected with this affair?"

"That is a question you ought not to be obliged to put," he returned.

"How so?"

"Simply because the opportunity of answering it was in your hands before
ever it came into mine."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't you remember the letter mailed in your presence by Miss Mary
Leavenworth during your drive from her home to that of her friend in
Thirty-seventh Street?"

"On the afternoon of the inquest?"

"Yes."

"Certainly, but----"

"You never thought to look at its superscription before it was dropped
into the box."

"I had neither opportunity nor right to do so."

"Was it not written in your presence?"

"It was."

"And you never regarded the affair as worth your attention?"

"However I may have regarded it, I did not see how I could prevent Miss
Leavenworth from dropping a letter into a box if she chose to do so."

"That is because you are a _gentleman._ Well, it has its disadvan