was not exactly one of fear. My impulse was to pull down
the shade between us, but I had not the heart. She was so old, so feeble
and so, evidently the prey of some strange and fixed idea. What idea? It
was not for me to say, but I found it impossible to make any move
which would seem to shut her out; so I left the shade up; but her image
followed me and I forgot it only when confronted once again with Mrs.
Packard.

That lady was awaiting me at the dining-room door. She had succeeded
in throwing off her secret depression and smiled quite naturally as
I approached. Her easy, courteous manners became her wonderfully. I
immediately recognized how much there was to admire in our mayor's wife,
and quite understood his relief when, a few minutes later, we sat at
table and conversation began. Mrs. Packard, when free and light-hearted,
was a delightful companion and the meal passed off cheerily. When we
rose and the mayor left us for some necessary business it was with
a look of satisfaction in my direction which was the best possible
preparation for my approaching tete-a-tete with his moody and
incomprehensible wife.

But I was not destined to undergo the contemplated ordeal this evening.
Guests were announced whom Mrs. Packard kindly invited me to meet, but
I begged to be allowed to enjoy the library. I had too much to consider
just now, to find any pleasure in society. Three questions filled my
mind.

What was Mrs. Packard's secret trouble?

Why were people afraid to remain in this house?

Why did the old woman next door show such interest in the new member of
her neighbor's household?

Would a single answer cover all? Was there but one cause for each and
every one of these peculiarities? Probably, and it was my duty to ferret
out this cause. But how should I begin? I remembered what I had read
about detectives and their methods, but the help I thus received was
small. Subtler methods were demanded here and subtler methods I must
find. Meantime, I would hope for another talk with Mayor Packard. He
might clear up some of this fog. At least, I should like to give him
the opportunity. But I saw no way of reaching him at present. Even Mrs.
Packard did not feel at liberty to disturb him in his study. I must wait
for his reappearance, and in the meantime divert myself as best I could.
I caught up a magazine, but speedily dropped it to cast a quick glance
around the room. Had I heard anything? No. The house was perfectly