same time the greatest shrinking from, the
pursuit of such investigations as were likely to ensue upon the
discovery of the mysterious case of murder which had so unexpectedly
been presented to his notice. As a professional, he could not fail to
experience that quick start of the blood which always follows the
recognition of a "big affair," while as a gentleman, he felt himself
recoil from probing into a matter that was blackened by a possibility
against which every instinct in his nature rebelled.

It was, therefore, with oddly mingled sensations that he read Mr.
Orcutt's letter, and found himself compelled to admit that the coroner
had possessed a truer insight than himself into the true cause of Miss
Dare's eccentric conduct upon the scene of the tragedy. His main
feeling, however, was one of relief. It was such a comfort to think he
could proceed in the case without the dread of stumbling upon a clue
that, in some secret and unforeseen way, should connect this imposing
woman with a revolting crime. Or so he fondly considered. But he had not
spent five minutes at the railroad station, where, in pursuance to the
commands of Mr. Ferris, he went to take the train for Monteith, before
he saw reason to again change his mind. For, there among the passengers
awaiting the New York express, he saw Miss Dare, with a travelling-bag
upon her arm and a look on her face that, to say the least, was of most
uncommon character in a scene of so much bustle and hurry. She was
going away, then--going to leave Sibley and its mystery behind her! He
was not pleased with the discovery. This sudden departure looked too
much like escape, and gave him, notwithstanding the assurance he had
received from Mr. Orcutt, an uneasy sense of having tampered with his
duty as an officer of justice, in thus providing this mysterious young
woman with a warning that could lead to a result like this.

Yet, as he stood at the depot surveying Miss Dare, in the few minutes
they both had to wait, he asked himself over and over again how any
thought of her possessing a personal interest in the crime which had
just taken place could retain a harbor in his mind. She looked so noble
in her quiet aspect of solemn determination, so superior in her young,
fresh beauty--a determination that, from the lofty look it imparted,
must have its birth in generous emotion, even if her beauty was but the
result of a rarely modelled frame and a health of surpassing perfection.
H