pocket I wrote upon it: "Find out if Miss Lloyd wore any flowers
last evening, and what kind."

I passed this over to Mr. Monroe, and rather enjoyed seeing his
mystification as he read it.

To my surprise he did not question Florence Lloyd immediately, but
turned again to the maid.

"At what time did your mistress go to her room last evening?"

"At about ten o'clock, sir. I was waiting there for her, and so I am
sure."

"Did she at once retire?"

"No, sir. She changed her evening gown for a teagown, and then said she
would sit up for an hour or so and write letters, and I needn't wait."

"You left her then?"

"Yes, sir."

"Did Miss Lloyd wear any flowers at dinner last evening?"

"No, sir. There were no guests--only the family."

"Ah, quite so. But did she, by chance, pin on any flowers after she went
to her room?"

"Why, yes, sir; she did. A box of roses had come for her by a messenger,
and when she found them in her room, she pinned one on the lace of her
teagown."

"Yes? And what time did the flowers arrive?"

"While Miss Lloyd was at dinner, sir. I took them from the box and put
them in water, sir."

"And what sort of flowers were they?"

"Yellow roses, sir."

"That will do, Elsa. You are excused."

The girl looked bewildered, and a little embarrassed as she returned
to her place among the other servants, and Miss Lloyd looked a little
bewildered also.

But then, for that matter, no body understood the reason for the
questions about the flowers, and though most of the jury merely looked
preternaturally wise on the subject, Mr. Orville scribbled it all
down in his little book. I was now glad to see the man keep up his
indefatigable note-taking. If the reporters or stenographers missed any
points, I could surely get them from him.

But from the industry with which he wrote, I began to think he must be
composing an elaborate thesis on yellow roses and their habits.

Mr. Porter, looking greatly puzzled, observed to the coroner, "I have
listened to your inquiries with interest; and I would like to know what,
if any, special importance is attached to this subject of yellow roses."

"I'm not able to tell you," replied Mr. Monroe. "I asked these questions
at the instigation of another, who doubtless has some good reason for
them, which he will explain in due time."

Mr. Porter seemed satisfied with this, and I nodded my head at the
coroner, as if bidding him to proceed.

But if I had been su