elix Page's murder, the tragedy
could not have occurred at a more unfortunate time for him.
Considering all the circumstances, it would be no great strain upon the
credulity to picture Fluette, driven to desperation, ridding himself of
the foe that had hounded him to ruin.

There was nothing else for me to do except follow all these avenues to
the end; but whichever was the right one, that end must be bitter. I
met the piteous look in Genevieve Cooper's eyes, and my heart sank.

I have often been told that when I want it to be my countenance is
illegible; assuredly, at this moment it was not my desire that she
should glimpse the tumult of thought and emotion to which I was a prey;
but I have reasons, numberless as the sands of the sea, for knowing
that it never was indecipherable to the bright blue eyes now searching
it so earnestly.

All at once Miss Cooper was on her feet, the shadow of a great dread
darkening her countenance; her voice trembled like the voice of a
little child that is afraid. Her next words supplied more definite
knowledge respecting her uncle's financial condition.

"I told you that both my parents died when I was an infant, Mr. Swift;
they did not leave me entirely penniless. Uncle Alfred is the guardian
of my estate--my personal guardian, too--and he--my God, I can't say
it!"

"Perhaps," said I, gently, "I can surmise what you can't bring yourself
to put into words: is it that he may be unable to strictly account for
his trust?"

She winced at the question, and sank back into her chair.

"No--that's not it--not exactly," she said, With manifest effort. "But
it is almost as bad.

"I was of age the fifth of last month--December--and on that day Uncle
Alfred came to me in great distress. He told me that he was expecting
any day--almost any hour--that a demand would be made upon him for an
enormous sum of money; a demand that he would have to meet promptly or
go down in utter ruin. He told me that his own affairs were in such
shape that he could n't raise near the amount of the demand, and that
he would be obliged to eke it out with my patrimony.

"I don't know whether or not the demand has ever been made; I don't
know whether or not he has used any of my fortune--it isn't much; but
he is welcome to every penny of it, for he has always been good and
kind and generous. I have never asked him for an accounting, nor has
he volunteered one. I simply don't know what to think. If he is i