over the top of his cane,
then shaking his head, replied:

"The verdict you mention is the only natural one, of course. I see that
you have been talking with Miss Challoner's former maid?"

"Yes, and she has settled an important point for us. There was a
possibility, of course, that the paper-cutter which you brought to my
notice had never gone with her into the mezzanine. That she, or some
other person, had dropped it in passing through the lobby. But this girl
assures me that her mistress did not enter the lobby that night. That
she accompanied her down in the elevator, and saw her step off at
the mezzanine. She can also swear that the cutter was in a book she
carried--the book we found lying on the desk. The girl remembers
distinctly seeing its peculiarly chased handle projecting from its
pages. Could anything be more satisfactory if--I was going to say,
if the young lady had been of the impulsive type and the provocation
greater. But Miss Challoner's nature was calm, and were it not for these
letters--" here his arm shifted a little--"I should not be so sure of
my jury's future verdict. Love--" he went on, after a moment of silent
consideration of a letter he had chosen from those before him, "disturbs
the most equable natures. When it enters as a factor, we can expect
anything--as you know. And Miss Challoner evidently was much attached
to her correspondent, and naturally felt the reproach conveyed in these
lines."

And Dr. Heath read:

"Dear Miss Challoner:

"Only a man of small spirit could endure what I endured from you
the other day. Love such as mine would be respectable in a
clod-hopper, and I think that even you will acknowledge that I
stand somewhat higher than that. Though I was silent under your
disapprobation, you shall yet have your answer. It will not lack
point because of its necessary delay."

"A threat!"

The words sprang from Sweetwater, and were evidently involuntary. Dr.
Heath paid no notice, but Mr. Gryce, in shifting his hands on his cane
top, gave them a sidelong look which was not without a hint of fresh
interest in a case concerning which he had believed himself to have said
his last word.

"It is the only letter of them all which conveys anything like a
reproach," proceeded the coroner. "The rest are ardent enough and, I
must acknowledge that, so far as I have allowed myself to look into
them, sufficiently respectful. Her surprise must consequently have been
gre