al letters H. B., looked about for a
messenger to carry it to the coroner. He found one in the person of a
small boy, who was pressing with all his might against his back, and
having despatched him with the note, regained his old position at the
window, and proceeded to watch, with a growing interest in the drama
before him, the result of his interference upon the coroner.

He had not long to wait. The boy had no sooner shown himself at the door
with the note, than Dr. Tredwell laid down the telegram he was perusing
and took this new communication. With a slight smile Mr. Byrd was not
slow in attributing to its true source, he read the note through, then
turned to the officer at his side and gave him some command that sent
him from the room. He then took up the slip he was on the point of
presenting to the jury at the time he was first interrupted, and
continuing his remarks in reference to it, said quietly:

"Gentlemen, this paper which I here pass over to you, was found by me in
the recess of Mrs. Clemmens' desk at the time I examined it for the
address of Miss Firman. It was in an envelope that had never been
sealed, and was, if I may use the expression, tucked away under a pile
of old receipts. The writing is similar to that used in the letter you
have just read, and the signature attached to it is 'Mary Ann Clemmens.'
Will Mr. Black of the jury read aloud the words he will there find
written?"

Mr. Black, in whose hand the paper then rested, looked up with a flush,
and slowly, if not painfully, complied:

"I desire"--such was the language of the writing
before him--"that in case of any sudden or violent
death on my part, the authorities should inquire
into the possible culpability of a gentleman
living in Toledo, Ohio, known by the name of
Gouverneur Hildreth. He is a man of no principle,
and my distinct conviction is, that if such a
death should occur to me, it will be entirely due
to his efforts to gain possession of property
which cannot be at his full disposal until my
death.

"MARY ANN CLEMMENS, Sibley, N. Y."

"A serious charge!" quoth a juryman, breaking the universal silence
occasioned by this communication from the dead.

"I should think so," echoed the burly man in front of Mr. Byrd.

But Mr. Byrd himself and the quiet man who leaned so stiffly and
abstractedly