ee, or it would certainly have interfered with the
promise she had made to concentrate all her energies on getting well.

What was at the root of his extreme grief at leaving her? Did he fear
the person he was going to meet, or were his plans such as involved a
much longer stay than he had mentioned? Did he even mean to return at
all?

Ah, that was the question! Did he intend to return, or had I been the
unconscious witness of a flight?

XVII. SWEETWATER IN A NEW ROLE

A few days later three men were closeted in the district attorney's
office. Two of them were officials--the district attorney himself, and
our old friend, the inspector. The third was the detective, Sweetwater,
chosen by them to keep watch on Mr. Grey.

Sweetwater had just come to town,--this was evident from the gripsack
he had set down in a corner on entering, also from a certain tousled
appearance which bespoke hasty rising and but few facilities for proper
attention to his person. These details counted little, however, in the
astonishment created by his manner. For a hardy chap he looked strangely
nervous and indisposed, so much so that, after the first short
greeting, the inspector asked him what was up, and if he had had another
Fairbrother-house experience.

He replied with a decided no; that it was not his adventure which had
upset him, but the news he had to bring.

Here he glanced at every door and window; and then, leaning forward over
the table at which the two officials sat, he brought his head as nearly
to them as possible and whispered five words.

They produced a most unhappy sensation. Both the men, hardened as they
were by duties which soon sap the sensibilities, started and turned as
pale as the speaker himself. Then the district attorney, with one glance
at the inspector, rose and locked the door.

It was a prelude to this tale which I give, not as it came from his
mouth, but as it was afterward related to me. The language, I fear, is
mostly my own.

The detective had just been with Mr. Grey to the coast of Maine.
Why there, will presently appear. His task had been to follow this
gentleman, and follow him he did.

Mr. Grey was a very stately man, difficult of approach, and was
absorbed, besides, by some overwhelming care. But this fellow was one
in a thousand and somehow, during the trip, he managed to do him some
little service, which drew the attention of the great man to himself.
This done, he so improved his opp