ters signed
'Alonzo Pattmore,' some of them dating back several years."

"Were they long, sentimental and--in short, were they to be classed
under the head of love letters?" I asked, with a smile.

"Yes; Miss Seaton so reports them."

"Well," I said, "let her continue to watch Mrs. Thayer, and to seek to
win the latter's confidence. By the way, what kind of books does Mrs.
Thayer read?"

"Oh! anything that is romantic."

"Then, tell Miss Seaton to get 'Eugene Aram' and read it. She can make
such allusions to it as will make Mrs. Thayer wish to read it too. The
effect of the story on her mind will, perhaps, prepare her for the train
of thoughts which I wish to excite in her."

"Oh! that reminds me," said Mrs. Warne, "Mrs. Thayer complains that she
sleeps very poorly, and dreams a great deal. She has been wondering
whether she talks in her sleep."

At this moment, one of my clerks entered and said that Captain Sumner
wished to see me. I immediately sent word that he could come into my
private office; at the same time, I requested Mrs. Warne to step into
the next room for a few minutes, as I should need her, as soon as the
Captain had gone. When the Captain entered, I was busily engaged in
examining some papers, and I greeted him as if he were an old friend
whom I had not seen for months.

"Why, how are you, Captain Sumner?" I said, shaking his hand, warmly. "I
am delighted to see you."

"I'm pretty well," he replied; "but have you heard the news?"

"No; what news?"

"Read that," he said, handing me the Greenville _Advocate_, and pointing
to an account of the inquest on Mrs. Pattmore's body.

The paper contained a full report of the coroner's proceedings, and an
editorial on the subject. The editor spoke in the highest terms of
Pattmore, and congratulated him on his triumphant vindication. I read
all that the _Advocate_ contained relative to the case, and then
remarked:

"I wonder who started that investigation."

"I can't imagine," replied the Captain; "though, as the paper says, the
story might have been originated by his enemies, for mere political
effect."

"Yes; that is possible," I replied; "but there was no use in attempting
anything of that kind. The result must have strengthened him, even among
his opponents."

"I am afraid so, too," said the Captain. "We shall have a hard time in
obtaining any proofs of his guilt, now that he is so popular."

I saw that the Captain did not suspect that I ha