I could prove it. This may have been an inordinate faith in my own
powers, or it may have been a hope born of my admiration for the young
woman herself. For there is no doubt, that for the first time in my life
I was taking a serious interest in a woman's personality. Heretofore
I had been a general admirer of womankind, and I had naturally treated
them all with chivalry and respect. But now I had met one whom I desired
to treat in a far tenderer way, and to my chagrin I realized that I had
no right to entertain such thoughts toward a girl already betrothed.

So I concluded to try my best to leave Florence Lloyd's personality out
of the question, to leave my feelings toward her out of the question,
and to devote my energies to real work on the case and prove by
intelligent effort that I could learn facts from evidence without
resorting to the microscopic methods of Fleming Stone. I purposely
ignored the fact that I would have been only too glad to use these
methods had I the power to do so!

IX. THE TWELFTH ROSE

For the next day or two the Crawford house presented the appearance
usual in any home during the days immediately preceding a funeral.

By tacit consent, all reference to the violence of Mr. Crawford's
death was avoided, and a rigorous formality was the keynote of all the
ceremonies. The servants were garbed in correct mourning, the ladies of
the house refused to see anybody, and all personal callers were met by
Philip Crawford or his wife, while business acquaintances were received
by Gregory Hall.

As private secretary, of course Mr. Hall was in full charge of Mr.
Crawford's papers and personal effects. But, in addition to this, as the
prospective husband of the heiress, he was practically the head of the
house.

He showed no elation or ostentation at this state of affairs, but
carried himself with an air of quiet dignity, tinged with a suggestion
of sadness, which, if merely conventional, seemed none the less sincere.

I soon learned that the whole social atmosphere of West Sedgwick was
one of extreme formality, and everything was done in accordance with the
most approved conventions. Therefore, I found I could get no chance for
a personal conversation with Miss Lloyd until after the funeral.

I had, however, more or less talk with Gregory Hall, and as I became
acquainted with him, I liked him less.

He was of a cold and calculating disposition, and when we were alone, he
did not hesitate