tly now in the ears of our detective. The door had
fallen to, and Sweetwater's share in the anxieties of that household was
over.

Slowly he moved away. He was in a confused yet elated condition of mind.
Here was food for a thousand new thoughts and conjectures. An Orlando
Brotherson and an Oswald Brotherson--relatives possibly, strangers
possibly; but whether relatives or strangers, both given to signing
their letters with their initials simply; and both the acknowledged
admirers of the deceased Miss Challoner. But she had loved only one, and
that one, Oswald. It not difficult to recognise the object of this
high hearted woman's affections in this man whose struggle with the
master-destroyer had awakened the solicitude of a whole town.

XXIV. SUSPENSE

Ten minutes after Sweetwater's arrival in the village streets, he was at
home with the people he found there. His conversation with Doris in the
doorway of her home had been observed by the curious and far-sighted,
and the questions asked and answered had made him friends at once. Of
course, he could tell them nothing, but that did not matter, he had seen
and talked with Doris and their idolised young manager was no worse and
might possibly soon be better.

Of his own affairs--of his business with Doris and the manager, they
asked nothing. All ordinary interests were lost in the stress of their
great suspense.

It was the same in the bar-room of the one hotel. Without resorting to
more than a question or two, he readily learned all that was generally
known of Oswald Brotherson. Every one was talking about him, and each
had some story to tell illustrative of his kindness, his courage and
his quick mind. The Works had never produced a man of such varied
capabilities and all round sympathies. To have him for manager meant the
greatest good which could befall this little community.

His rise had been rapid. He had come from the east three years before,
new to the work. Now, he was the one man there. Of his relationships
east, family or otherwise, nothing was said. For them his life began and
ended in Derby, and Sweetwater could see, though no actual expression
was given to the feeling, that there was but one expectation in regard
to him and Doris, to whose uncommon beauty and sweetness they all seemed
fully alive. And Sweetwater wondered, as many of us have wondered, at
the gulf frequently existing between fancy and fact.

Later there came a small excitement.