"Oh, yes; that is, he used to; but, since his aunt's death, we don't
expect it. He is very much interested in machinery, and has invented
something----"

"Oh, Clara, you are not going to sit here," interposed the reproachful
voice of a saucy-eyed maiden, who at this moment peeped around the
corner of the piano. "We want all the recruits we can get," she cried,
with a sudden blush, as she encountered the glance of Mr. Byrd. "Do
come, and bring the gentleman too." And she slipped away to join that
very Mr. Brown who, by his importunities, had been the occasion of the
former interruption from which Mr. Byrd had suffered.

"That man and I will quarrel yet," was the mental exclamation with which
the detective rose. "Shall we join your friends?" asked he, assuming an
unconcern he was far from feeling.

"Yes, if you please," was the somewhat timid, though evidently pleased,
reply.

And Mr. Byrd noted down in his own mind check number two.

The game was a protracted one. Twice did he think to escape from the
merry crowd he had entered, and twice did he fail to do so. The
indefatigable Brown would not let him slip, and it was only by a
positive exertion of his will that he finally succeeded in withdrawing
himself.

"I wish to have a word with your mother," he explained, in reply to the
look of protest with which Miss Hart honored his departure. "I hear she
retires early; so you will excuse me if I leave somewhat abruptly."

And to Mrs. Hart's apartment he at once proceeded, and, by dint of his
easy assurance, soon succeeded in leading her, as he had already done
the rest, into a discussion of the one topic for which he had an
interest. He had not time, however, to glean much from her, for, just as
she was making the admission that Mr. Mansell had not been home at the
time of the murder, a knock was heard at the door, and, with an affable
bow and a short, quick stare of surprise at Mr. Byrd, the ubiquitous Mr.
Brown stepped in and took a seat on the sofa, with every appearance of
intending to make a call.

At this third check, Mr. Byrd was more than annoyed. Rising, however,
with the most amiable courtesy, he bowed his acknowledgments to the
landlady, and, without heeding her pressing invitation to remain and
make the acquaintance of Mr. Brown, left the room and betook himself
back to the parlors.

He was just one minute too late. The last of the boarders had gone
up-stairs, and only an empty room met his eyes.

He