ed unnoticed by the two ladies.

Constance gave a nervous start, and then arose hastily.

"Who is it, Nelly?" she asked, merely for appearance sake, for she fully
expected to see Mr. Belkhap.

"He didn't give his name, Miss, but said he come by appointment. It's
the same gentleman as called a few days ago."

"Oh! then he won't detain me long," said the young lady, a resolute
look coming into her eyes. "Auntie, I'll be with you again in a very few
moments."

"He won't be very graciously received," was Mrs. Aliston's mental
comment. "I know that gleam of the eye, and what it means."

But Mrs. Aliston was mistaken for once.

"Oh, Mr. Belknap," Constance said, sweeping into his presence with her
proudest air, and smiling upon him her sweetest smile. "I am glad you
have come."

"Promptness is our first lesson in my profession," replied he, with an
affable smile.

"Yes! and have you learned anything new since Monday?"

"Nothing of importance. The party under suspicion has been entertaining
a friend, and has been out very little."

"Oh!"

"One thing occurred on Monday last, not long after I had left you, which
I can't help looking on with suspicion."

"Indeed! and may I hear it?"

"I think so. Without stopping to explain my modes of taking
observations, I will give the bare fact. On Monday afternoon, while
Doctor Heath was alone in his office, a boy, carrying on his head a tray
of carvings, stopped at the foot of the stairs, set down his tray, ran
up the flight like a young cat, and just as quietly, and slipped a note
underneath the office door."

"Really!" in real surprise, and some disturbance of mind. "And you know
nothing more about the note?"

"Nothing; but I shall soon I trust."

"Then you intend following up this case, Mr. Belknap?"

He looked up with a start of astonishment.

"Is not that your intention?"

"Decidedly not."

"But--have you consulted with Mr. Lamotte?"

"I have consulted with no one, sir. I thought over the matter once more,
and decided to let my own mind guide my actions."

"But Mr. Lamotte thinks the case should be pushed."

"Mr. Lamotte is my neighbor, not my guardian. He is good enough to
advise me sometimes; I think he would scarcely presume to dictate."

"Ah! then I am to consider myself no longer in your service?"

She bowed her head.

"After I have cancelled my indebtedness to you," she said, serenely.

With a look of vexation that he could not hide, the priva