self-possession. He was
perfectly cool; he stepped into the adjoining room and drank a glass of
water from a pitcher which had been left for him. Then he lit a
cigar--did this equally as coolly. He stepped from the room and started
up the stairs. At the door of the rear room on the second floor stood
Mr. Townsend, pale and excited.

"I heard something heavy fall," said the banker.

"Yes, I dropped one of the books."

"Have you found it?" came the question in a husky voice.

"I _have found something_."

"What is it?"

"I will not attempt to decide. You will please come downstairs and
decide for me."

"I will be down in one minute."

The detective returned to the library, and after a few minutes Mr.
Townsend joined him. The detective was sitting in an easy-chair drawn up
to the table, smoking as coolly and calmly as though taking a last whiff
just before going to bed.

"Oh, dear me!" exclaimed the banker, when he beheld the detective
sitting there so cool and apparently unconcerned, "I thought you had
found something."

"So I have."

"It cannot be the letter; I did have hopes."

"What has dampened your hopes?"

"You are too cool for a man who has found the letter."

"I am?"

"Yes."

There came a smile to the detective's face, a smile that was thrilling
in its suggestiveness, as he laid the letter on the table and said:

"Well, I have found something; you can tell what it is; look at it. No
need to search now; I think the search is over."

Mr. Townsend advanced, seized the letter, and his face was ashen as he
exclaimed, while trembling like one with ague:

"That is it."

"I thought so," said the detective.

"Yes, that is the letter."

"I thought so, and did not open it because it is written on it 'To be
opened by Mr. Townsend only.'"

"Where did you find it?"

"Never mind where I found it; what have I found?"

"You have found the letter which was left with me by Jacob Canfield."

"You are certain?"

"I am. No doubt as to its identity. I must have removed it from the safe
in my office."

"No doubt."

"Yes, it's one of the most remarkable lapses of memory."

"It is not so remarkable."

"Where did you find it?"

Jack told where he had found the long missing letter, and then said:

"Now, sir, all you have to do is to open that letter and we will learn
what you are directed to do."

"We would have been wise to have searched for the letter at first."

"Oh, no, we have prepared t