ame from
them.

"And you did not see it again till you found it on the floor of Mrs.
Clemmens' dining-room the morning of the murder?"

"No."

"Miss Dare," said he, with greater mildness, after a short pause, "you
have answered my somewhat painful inquiries with a straightforwardness I
cannot sufficiently commend. If you will now add to my gratitude by
telling me whether you have informed any one else of the important facts
you have just given me, I will distress you by no further questions."

"Sir," said she, and her attitude showed that she could endure but
little more, "I have taken no one else into my confidence. Such
knowledge as I had to impart was not matter for idle gossip."

And Mr. Ferris, being thus assured that his own surmises and that of
Hickory were correct, bowed with the respect her pale face and rigid
attitude seemed to demand, and considerately left the house.

XXII.

CRAIK MANSELL.

Bring me unto my trial when you will.--HENRY VI.

"HE is here."

Mr. Ferris threw aside his cigar, and looked up at Mr. Byrd, who was
standing before him.

"You had no difficulty, then?"

"No, sir. He acted like a man in hourly expectation of some such
summons. At the very first intimation of your desire to see him in
Sibley, he rose from his desk, with what I thought was a meaning look at
Mr. Goodman, and after a few preparations for departure, signified he
was ready to take the next train."

"And did he ask no questions?"

"Only one. He wished to know if I were a detective. And when I responded
'Yes,' observed with an inquiring look: 'I am wanted as a witness, I
suppose.' A suggestion to which I was careful to make no reply."

Mr. Ferris pushed aside his writing and glanced toward the door. "Show
him in, Mr. Byrd," said he.

A moment after Mr. Mansell entered the room.

The District Attorney had never seen this man, and was struck at once by
the force and manliness of his appearance. Half-rising from his seat to
greet the visitor, he said:

"I have to beg your pardon, Mr. Mansell. Feeling it quite necessary to
see you, I took the liberty of requesting you to take this journey, my
own time being fully occupied at present."

Mr. Mansell bowed--a slow, self-possessed bow,--and advancing to the
table before which the District Attorney sat, laid his hand firmly upon
it and said:

"No apologies are needed." Then shortly, "What is it you want of me?"

The words were almost the sam