t had the appearance of being hastily torn
from a paper. Mr. Tescheron read it slowly, and as he did so Smith
watched the victim writhe as the prepared venom paralyzed it for the
death-blow. I have seen this clipping. It read as follows:

MURDER HIDDEN BY THE POLICE.

MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF A WOMAN NOT REPORTED FOR SIX WEEKS.

The mysterious death of a woman, supposed to have been murdered in an
apartment house in this city by her husband, two days prior to an
incendiary fire that took place six weeks ago and destroyed all
traces of the crime, was considered by the Grand Jury to-day, with
Coroner Flanagan as one of the witnesses. The names of the parties
concerned in the tragedy could not be learned at the Central Office,
and Coroner Flanagan refused to give any details concerning the
autopsy. He admitted, however, that the matter had been called to his
attention anonymously, and his subsequent investigations had led him
to report the matter to the Central Office. The police say that
publicity at this time might make it impossible for them to secure
the presence of the murderer, who has been found in a Western State.
As the case has reached the Grand Jury, an indictment may follow at
any time.

A well-known merchant who has been absent from the city since the
date of the fire is in some way said to be involved as an important
witness.

On the back of the clipping, Mr. Tescheron's dazed eyes noted a market
report dated at Chicago, but he did not scan the paper more closely.
Nervously he handed it to Smith. When he had pondered a moment he said:

"I'll pay it."

CHAPTER XVII

What should I do with myself? That was my problem, when I went out into
the world again. No boarding-house could satisfy me, so I determined to
set up in light housekeeping, which is a city imitation of Robinson
Crusoe in two rooms. There I could be melancholy without interruption;
it would not be necessary to chatter with the other boarders either to
keep them from observing my absent-mindedness or to divert my own
attention from the dull routine of cannery products, synthetic meats,
and "laid down eggs"--laid only a little way down by the hen and away
down in a barrel by a man under water-glass for eight months and eight
cents more per dozen. Besides, if you keep house in the city an
arrangement may be made with your milkman so that you may irrigate your
milk to suit yourself.