rm here; though, as for watching her, I
promise to do that much if it will relieve your mind."

"I don't want her watched here; take her below. I cannot leave while she
remains."

"Are you not assuming a trifle the master?"

"Perhaps; I don't know. If I am, it is because I have something in my
possession which excuses my conduct."

"What is that? the letter?"

"Yes."

Agitated now in my turn, I held out my hand. "Let me see," I said.

"Not while that woman remains in the room."

Seeing him implacable, I returned to Mrs. Belden.

"I must entreat you to come with me," said I. "This is not a common
death; we shall be obliged to have the coroner here and others. You had
better leave the room and go below."

"I don't mind the coroner; he is a neighbor of mine; his coming won't
prevent my watching over the poor girl until he arrives."

"Mrs. Belden," I said, "your position as the only one conscious of the
presence of this girl in your house makes it wiser for you not to invite
suspicion by lingering any longer than is necessary in the room where
her dead body lies."

"As if my neglect of her now were the best surety of my good intentions
towards her in time past!"

"It will not be neglect for you to go below with me at my earnest
request. You can do no good here by staying; will, in fact, be doing
harm. So listen to me or I shall be obliged to leave you in charge of
this man and go myself to inform the authorities."

This last argument seemed to affect her, for with one look of shuddering
abhorrence at _Q_ she rose, saying, "You have me in your power," and
then, without another word, threw her handkerchief over the girl's face
and left the room. In two minutes more I had the letter of which _Q_ had
spoken in my hands.

"It is the only one I could find, sir. It was in the pocket of the dress
Mrs. Belden had on last night. The other must be lying around somewhere,
but I haven't had time to find it. This will do, though, I think. You
will not ask for the other."

Scarcely noticing at the time with what deep significance he spoke, I
opened the letter. It was the smaller of the two I had seen her draw
under her shawl the day before at the post-office, and read as follows:

"DEAR, DEAR FRIEND:

"I am in awful trouble. You who love me must know it. I cannot
explain, I can only make one prayer. Destroy what you have,
to-day, instantly, without question or hesitation. The consent
of any one