ce behind him making it impossible for him to
proceed. Happily he was not obliged to. An interruption occurred in the
shape of a new-comer, and he was left with the fatal word on his lips to
await the approach of that severely measured step behind him, which by
this time he knew was bringing the inscrutable Miss Dare to his side.

"Miss Dare, allow me to present to you Mr. Byrd. Mr. Byrd, Miss Dare."

The young detective bowed. With rigid attention to the forms of
etiquette, he uttered the first few acknowledgments necessary to the
occasion, and then glanced up.

She was looking him full in the face.

"We have met before," he was about to observe, but not detecting the
least sign of recognition in her gaze, restrained the words and hastily
dropped his eyes.

"Mr. Duryea informs me you are a stranger in the town," she remarked,
moving slowly to one side in a way to rid herself of that gentleman's
too immediate presence. "Have you a liking for the place, or do you
meditate any lengthy stay?"

"No. That is," he rejoined, somewhat shaken in his theories by the
self-possession of her tone and the ease and quietness with which she
evidently prepared to enter into a sustained conversation, "I may go
away to-morrow, and I may linger on for an indefinite length of time. It
all depends upon certain matters that will be determined for me
to-night. Sibley is a very pretty place," he observed, startled at his
own temerity in venturing the last remark.

"Yes."

The word came as if forced, and she looked at Mr. Duryea.

"Do you wish any thing, Miss Dare?" that gentleman suddenly asked. "You
do not look well."

"I am not well," she acknowledged. "No, thank you," she cried, as he
pushed a chair toward her. "It is too warm here. If you do not object,
we will go into the other room." And with a courteous glance that
included both gentlemen in its invitation, she led the way into the
adjoining apartment. Could it have been with the purpose of ridding
herself of the assiduities of Mr. Duryea? The room contained half a
dozen or more musical people, and no sooner did they perceive their
favorite tenor approach than they seized upon him and, without listening
to his excuses, carried him off to the piano, leaving Miss Dare alone
with Mr. Byrd.

She seemed instantly to forget her indisposition. Drawing herself up
till every queenly attribute she possessed flashed brilliantly before
his eyes, she asked, with sudden determination, if