received a letter, dropped by Charles Vapp the
evening before. It was short and to the point:

"The man is keeping me on the jump. He went to see Matlock Styles and
Styles threatened him with something again and Ostrello was greatly
disturbed. After that Ostrello sent a money-order to his brother Dick
for fifty dollars. He is now going to New York again and I shall
follow."

This communication set Adam Adams to thinking once more. That Tom
Ostrello and Matlock Styles had something in common there could be no
doubt. The question was, What?

As the detective was walking back to the hotel he saw Raymond Case
approaching and went to meet the young man.

"Oh, Mr. Adams, I am glad to meet you," cried Raymond. "Have you
learned anything new?"

"A little but not a great deal. How is Miss Langmore this morning?"

Raymond drew a long sigh.

"I do not think she is much better. She is more quiet, but--"

"She is not clear in her mind?"

"That's it. She is now thoroughly convinced that she is guilty."

"And you do not believe her?"

"Of course not. I know she is innocent. Come now, honestly, don't you
think so yourself?"

"I do."

"I knew it!" The young man's face brightened for an instant.

"But it is going to be no easy thing to prove," pursued the detective.
"This crime was no simple matter. I am certain it was carefully
planned and just as carefully executed. Those who committed it made it
look as simple as possible for a purpose."

"And you are on the track?"

"I am on several tracks. I am not sure of the right one yet."

"Do you think those counterfeits had anything to do with the crime?"

"Undoubtedly. You say Miss Langmore seems to be resting easier?"

"Slightly."

"If it would not hurt, I should like to have a few words with her."

"Then come along and we can ask the specialist I have called in from
New York."

Placing his purchases in the room at the hotel, Adam Adams accompanied
Raymond to Martha Sampson's residence. They found the nurse and the
doctor discussing the case, and the detective was introduced and he
mentioned the object of his visit.

"It will do no harm to speak to Miss Langmore so long as you do not
excite her," said the specialist. "But do not dwell on the subject of
the murder too long."

"I shall not mention the murder," was the reply.

When Adam Adams entered the sick room he found Margaret sitting up in
bed with several pillows behind her head. S