ccount of Hugh Gordon.
Brand had not mentioned the man's name to her again nor had she
learned anything more about his mysterious identity. But she felt sure
that he had been trying, from some evil motive, to injure her employer
both personally and professionally, and his sudden disappearance,
followed by the easing of Brand's anxiety and the betterment of his
spirits, convinced her that Gordon had been at the bottom of all the
trouble and made her hope that the architect had stopped his
machinations and would be annoyed by him no more.

She felt that this Hugh Gordon must be a despicable creature, who
tried to do his malevolent work in mean, underhand ways, and when she
thought of him it was always with suspicion and enmity.

The winter days sped on and Felix Brand, feeling confident that his
footing was once more entirely firm and safe, opened one morning with
no misgiving an envelope that bore the stamp of the mayor's office.
But even with its first lines his heart, lately so buoyant, turned to
lead. It began by saying that doubtless Mr. Brand's duties on the
municipal art commission would demand more time and attention than he
could bestow upon them in justice to his own exacting private affairs
and that therefore whenever he wished to tender his resignation it
would receive immediate consideration.

"I shall be sorry," the mayor added, "to lose from that body
one who could contribute to the public service so much exact
knowledge and artistic feeling; but I have convinced myself
that the conclusions of my investigating committee were
correct, notwithstanding your denial and plausible
explanation. Consequently, I feel that the interests of good
government make this step necessary."

Brand was a good deal disturbed by this letter. He had coveted the
position much and had been deeply gratified when he received the
appointment. For the carrying out of certain plans he had in mind
would have brought him prominently into the public eye and secured for
him much popular esteem and favor, greatly to the benefit, he
believed, of his professional reputation and his income. And now
suddenly all these hopes withered and died under the touch of this
veiled but peremptory demand for him to get down and out; and he
feared that if he did not give quick heed he would have to undergo
more publicity of the affair and much humiliation. So he sent at once
his letter of resignation.

Soon after this epis