"No; he said he was too ill; and indeed he was shut up one whole day
with a terrible sore throat. He is the heir, too, of all her savings,
they say; but he won't go to Sibley. Some folks think it is queer, but
I----"

Here her eyes wandered and her almost serious look vanished in a
somewhat coquettish smile. Following her gaze with his own, Mr. Byrd
perceived a gentleman approaching. It was the one he had first taken for
Mr. Mansell.

"Beg pardon," was the somewhat abrupt salutation with which this person
advanced. "But they are proposing a game in the next room, and Miss
Clayton's assistance is considered absolutely indispensable."

"Mr. Brown, first allow me to make you acquainted with Mr. Byrd," said
the light-hearted damsel, with a gracious inclination. "As you are both
strangers, it is well for you to know each other, especially as I expect
you to join in our games."

"Thank you," protested Mr. Brown, "but I don't play games." Then seeing
the deep bow of acquiescence which Mr. Byrd was making, added, with what
appeared to be a touch of jealousy, "Except under strong provocation,"
and holding out his arm, offered to escort the young lady into the next
room.

With an apologetic glance at Mr. Byrd, she accepted the attention
proffered her, and speedily vanished into the midst of the laughing
group that awaited her.

Mr. Byrd found himself alone.

"Check number one," thought he; and he bestowed any thing but an amiable
benediction upon the man who had interrupted him in the midst of so
promising a conversation.

His next move was in the direction of the landlady's daughter, who,
being somewhat shy, favored a retired nook behind the piano. They had
been neighbors at table, and he could at once address her without fear
of seeming obtrusive.

"I do not see here the dark young gentleman whom you call Mr. Mansell?"
he remarked, inquiringly.

"Oh, no; he is in trouble. A near relative of his was murdered in cold
blood the other day, and under the most aggravating circumstances.
Haven't you heard about it? She was a Mrs. Clemmens, and lived in
Sibley. It was in all the papers."

"Ah, yes; I remember about it very well. And so he is her nephew," he
went on, recklessly repeating himself in his determination to elicit all
he could from these young and thoughtless misses. "A peculiar-looking
young man; has the air of thoroughly understanding himself."

"Yes, he is very smart, they say."

"Does he never talk?"