you learn the full particulars. The
store was situated between two alley-ways in Harlem. It had an entrance
back and an entrance front. Both were in constant use. The man was found
behind his counter, having evidently been hit on the head by a
slung-shot while reaching for a box of hosiery. But though a succession
of people were constantly passing by both doors, there was for that very
reason no one to tell which of all the men who were observed to enter
the shop, came out again with blood upon his conscience. Nor were the
circumstances of the Jew's life such as to assist justice. The most
careful investigation failed to disclose the existence of any enemy, nor
was he found to possess in this country, at least, any relative who
could have hoped to be benefited by the few dollars he had saved from a
late bankruptcy. The only conclusion to be drawn is that the man was
secretly in the way of some one and was as secretly put out of it, but
for what purpose or by whose hand, time has never disclosed."

"There is one, however, who knows both," affirmed Judge Evans,
impressively.

"The man himself?"

"God!"

The solemnity with which this was uttered caused a silence, during which
Mr. Orcutt looked at his watch.

"I must go to dinner," he announced, withdrawing, with a slight nod,
across the street.

The rest stood for a few minutes abstractedly contemplating his
retreating figure, as with an energetic pace all his own he passed down
the little street that opened opposite to where they stood, and entered
the unpretending cottage of a widow lady, with whom he was in the habit
of taking his mid-day meal whenever he had a case before the court.

A lull was over the whole village, and the few remaining persons on the
court-house steps were about to separate, when Mr. Lord uttered an
exclamation and pointed to the cottage into which they had just seen Mr.
Orcutt disappear. Immediately all eyes looked that way and saw the
lawyer standing on the stoop, having evidently issued with the utmost
precipitation from the house.

"He is making signs," cried Mr. Lord to Mr. Ferris; and scarcely knowing
what they feared, both gentlemen crossed the way and hurried down the
street toward their friend, who, with unusual tokens of disturbance in
his manner, ran forward to meet them.

"A murder!" he excitedly exclaimed, as soon as he came within speaking
distance. "A strange and startling coincidence. Mrs. Clemmens has been
struck on th