bsorbing interest in the topic engrossing me, I fell asleep in my cozy
little rocking chair. I was awakened by what seemed like a kiss falling
very softly on my forehead, though, to be sure, it may have been only
the flap of George's coat sleeve as he stooped over me.

"Wake up, little woman," I heard, "and trot away to bed. I'm going out
and may not be in till daybreak."

"You! going out! at ten o'clock at night, tired as you are--as we both
are! What has happened--Oh!"

This broken exclamation escaped me as I perceived in the dim background
by the sitting-room door, the figure of a man who called up recent, but
very thrilling experiences.

"Mr. Sweetwater," explained George. "We are going out together. It is
necessary, or you may be sure I should not leave you."

I was quite wide awake enough by now to understand. "Oh, I know. You are
going to hunt up the man. How I wish--"

But George did not wait for me to express my wishes. He gave me a little
good advice as to how I had better employ my time in his absence, and
was off before I could find words to answer.

This ends all I have to say about myself; but the events of that
night carefully related to me by George are important enough for me to
describe them, with all the detail which is their rightful due. I shall
tell the story as I have already been led to do in other portions of
this narrative, as though I were present and shared the adventure.

As soon as the two were in the street, the detective turned towards
George and said:

"Mr. Anderson, I have a great deal to ask of you. The business before us
is not a simple one, and I fear that I shall have to subject you to more
inconvenience than is customary in matters like this. Mr. Brotherson has
vanished; that is, in his own proper person, but I have an idea that
I am on the track of one who will lead us very directly to him if we
manage the affair carefully. What I want of you, of course, is mere
identification. You saw the face of the man who washed his hands in the
snow, and would know it again, you say. Do you think you could be quite
sure of yourself, if the man were differently dressed and differently
occupied?"

"I think so. There's his height and a certain strong look in his face. I
cannot describe it."

"You don't need to. Come! we're all right. You don't mind making a night
of it?"

"Not if it is necessary."

"That we can't tell yet." And with a characteristic shrug and smile, the
detectiv