whether he did this with
purpose or not, was evidently so alarmed at the catastrophe
which followed that he took the first outgoing steamer to
Europe. So far, all is clear, but there are mysteries yet to
be solved, which will require my utmost tact. What if I should
seek out the gentleman with whose name that of Mrs. Zabriskie
has been linked, and see if I can in any way connect him with
Mr. Stanton or the events of that night?

* * * * *

"Eureka! I have discovered that Mr. Stanton cherished a mortal
hatred for the gentleman above mentioned. It was a covert
feeling, but no less deadly on that account; and while it
never led him into any extravagances, it was of force
sufficient to account for many a secret misfortune which
happened to that gentleman. Now, if I can prove he was the
Mephistopheles who whispered insinuations into the ear of our
blind Faust, I may strike a fact that will lead me out of this
maze.

"But how can I approach secrets so delicate without
compromising the woman I feel bound to respect, if only for
the devoted love she manifests for her unhappy husband!

* * * * *

"I shall have to appeal to Joe Smithers. This is something
which I always hate to do, but as long as he will take money,
and as long as he is fertile in resources for obtaining the
truth from people I am myself unable to reach, so long must I
make use of his cupidity and his genius. He is an honorable
fellow in one way, and never retails as gossip what he
acquires for our use. How will he proceed in this case, and
by what tactics will he gain the very delicate information
which we need? I own that I am curious to see.

* * * * *

"I shall really have to put down at length the incidents of
this night. I always knew that Joe Smithers was invaluable to
the police, but I really did not know he possessed talents of
so high an order. He wrote me this morning that he had
succeeded in getting Mr. T----'s promise to spend the evening
with him, and advised me that if I desired to be present also,
his own servant would not be at home, and that an opener of
bottles would be required.

"As I was very anxious to see Mr. T---- with my own eyes, I