as in the habit of absenting himself from home?"

"Certainly."

"Can you tell me where he was last July, he and the ladies?"

"Yes, sir; they went to R----. The famous watering-place, you know. Ah,"
he cried, seeing a change in my face, "do you think he could have met
them there?"

I looked at him for a moment, then, rising in my turn, stood level with
him, and exclaimed:

"You are keeping something back, Mr. Harwell; you have more knowledge of
this man than you have hitherto given me to understand. What is it?"

He seemed astonished at my penetration, but replied: "I know no more
of the man than I have already informed you; but"--and a burning flush
crossed his face, "if you are determined to pursue this matter--" and he
paused, with an inquiring look.

"I am resolved to find out all I can about Henry Clavering," was my
decided answer.

"Then," said he, "I can tell you this much. Henry Clavering wrote a
letter to Mr. Leavenworth a few days before the murder, which I have
some reason to believe produced a marked effect upon the household."
And, folding his arms, the secretary stood quietly awaiting my next
question.

"How do you know?" I asked.

"I opened it by mistake. I was in the habit of reading Mr. Leavenworth's
business letters, and this, being from one unaccustomed to write
to him, lacked the mark which usually distinguished those of a private
nature."

"And you saw the name of Clavering?"

"I did; Henry Ritchie Clavering."

"Did you read the letter?" I was trembling now.

The secretary did not reply.

"Mr. Harwell," I reiterated, "this is no time for false delicacy. Did
you read that letter?"

"I did; but hastily, and with an agitated conscience."

"You can, however, recall its general drift?"

"It was some complaint in regard to the treatment received by him at the
hand of one of Mr. Leavenworth's nieces. I remember nothing more."

"Which niece?"

"There were no names mentioned."

"But you inferred----"

"No, sir; that is just what I did not do. I forced myself to forget the
whole thing."

"And yet you say it produced an effect upon the family?"

"I can see now that it did. None of them have ever appeared quite the
same as before."

"Mr. Harwell," I gravely continued; "when you were questioned as to the
receipt of any letter by Mr. Leavenworth, which might seem in any manner
to be connected with this tragedy, you denied having seen any such; how
was that?"

"Mr. Raymond, you