hich he might feel for the man
falsely accused of his crime, he knew from Imogene's lips that she would
not survive the condemnation of her lover, and that, besides this, his
only hope of winning her for his wife lay in the gratitude he might
awaken in her if he succeeded in saving his rival."

"You are making him out a great villain," murmured Mr. Ferris, bitterly.

"And was not that the language of his own countenance as he lay dying?"
inquired the detective.

Mr. Ferris could not say No. He had himself been too deeply impressed by
the sinister look he had observed on the face of his dying friend. He
therefore confined himself to remarking, not without sarcasm:

"And now for the motive of this hideous crime--for I suppose your
ingenuity has discovered one before this."

"It will be found in his love for Miss Dare," returned the detective;
"but just how I am not prepared to-day to say."

"His love for Miss Dare? What had this plain and homespun Mrs. Clemmens
to do with his love for Miss Dare?"

"She was an interference."

"How?"

"Ah, that, sir, is the question."

"So then you do not know?"

Mr. Gryce was obliged to shake his head.

The District Attorney drew himself up. "Mr. Gryce," said he, "the charge
which has been made against this eminent man demands the very strongest
proof in order to substantiate it. The motive, especially, must be shown
to have been such as to offer a complete excuse for suspecting him. No
trivial or imaginary reason for his wishing this woman out of the world
will answer in his case. You must prove that her death was absolutely
necessary to the success of his dearest hopes, or your reasoning will
only awaken distrust in the minds of all who hear it. The fame of a man
like Mr. Orcutt is not to be destroyed by a passing word of delirium, or
a specious display of circumstantial evidence such as you evolve from
the presence of the ring on the scene of murder."

"I know it," allowed Mr. Gryce, "and that is why I have asked for a
week."

"Then you still believe you can find such a motive?"

The smile which Mr. Gryce bestowed upon the favored object then honored
by his gaze haunted the District Attorney for the rest of the week.

XLII.

CONSULTATIONS.

That he should die is worthy policy;
But yet we want a color for his death;
'Tis meet he be condemned by course of law.
--HENRY VI.

MR. GRYCE was