pleased with this unexpected
compliment, I regarded him doubtfully for a moment and then asked:

"What is your opinion upon the matter?"

"Oh, you know I have no opinion. I gave up everything of that kind when
I put the affair into your hands."

"Still----"

"That the letter of which these scraps are the remnant was on Mr.
Leavenworth's table at the time of the murder is believed. That upon the
body being removed, a paper was taken from the table by Miss Eleanore
Leavenworth, is also believed. That, when she found her action had been
noticed, and attention called to this paper and the key, she resorted to
subterfuge in order to escape the vigilance of the watch that had been
set over her, and, partially succeeding in her endeavor, flung the key
into the fire from which these same scraps were afterwards recovered, is
also known. The conclusion I leave to your judgment."

"Very well, then," said I, rising; "we will let conclusions go for the
present. My mind must be satisfied in regard to the truth or falsity of
a certain theory of mine, for my judgment to be worth much on this or
any other matter connected with the affair."

And, only waiting to get the address of his subordinate P., in case
I should need assistance in my investigations, I left Mr. Gryce, and
proceeded immediately to the house of Mr. Veeley.

XXIII. THE STORY OF A CHARMING WOMAN

"Fe, fi, fo, fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman."
--Old Song.

"I hold you as a thing enskied and sainted."
--Measure for Measure.

"YOU have never heard, then, the particulars of Mr. Leavenworth's
marriage?"

It was my partner who spoke. I had been asking him to explain to me Mr.
Leavenworth's well-known antipathy to the English race.

"No."

"If you had, you would not need to come to me for this explanation. But
it is not strange you are ignorant of the matter. I doubt if there
are half a dozen persons in existence who could tell you where Horatio
Leavenworth found the lovely woman who afterwards became his wife,
much less give you any details of the circumstances which led to his
marriage."

"I am very fortunate, then, in being in the confidence of one who can.
What were those circumstances, Mr. Veeley?"

"It will aid you but little to hear. Horatio Leavenworth, when a young
man, was very ambitious; so much so, that at one time he aspired to
marry a wealthy lady of Providence. But, chancing to go to England, he
there met