papers containing locks of hair, half of a broken ring, and other
insignificant mementos which had their meaning, doubtless, to her,--such
a collection as is often priceless to one human heart, and passed by
as worthless in the auctioneer's inventory. She took the papers out
mechanically, and laid them on the table. Among them was an oblong
packet, sealed with what appeared to be the office seal of Messrs.
Penhallow and Bradshaw.

"Will you allow me to take that envelope containing papers, Miss
Badlam?" Mr. Gridley asked, with a suavity and courtesy in his tone and
manner that showed how he felt for her sex and her helpless position.

She seemed to obey his will as if she had none of her own left. She
passed the envelope to him, and stared at him vacantly while he examined
it. He read on the back of the package: "Withers Estate--old papers--of
no importance apparently. Examine hereafter."

"May I ask when, where, and of whom you obtained these papers, Miss
Badlam?"

"Have pity on me, Mr. Gridley,--have pity on me. I am a lost woman if
you do not. Spare me! for God's sake, spare me! There will no wrong come
of all this, if you will but wait a little while. The paper will come
to light when it is wanted, and all will be right. But do not make me
answer any more questions, and let me keep this paper. O Mr. Gridley! I
am in the power of a dreadful man--"

"You mean Mr. William Murray Bradshaw?"

"I mean him."

"Has there not been some understanding between you that he should become
the approved suitor of Miss Myrtle Hazard?"

Cynthia wrung her hands and rocked herself backward and forward in
her misery, but answered not a word. What could she answer, if she had
plotted with this "dreadful man" against a young and innocent girl, to
deliver her over into his hands, at the risk of all her earthly hopes
and happiness?

Master Gridley waited long and patiently for any answer she might have
the force to make. As she made none, he took upon himself to settle the
whole matter without further torture of his helpless victim.

"This package must go into the hands of the parties who had the
settlement of the estate of the late Malachi Withers. Mr. Penhallow is
the survivor of the two gentlemen to whom that business was intrusted.
How long is Mr. William Murray Bradshaw like to be away?"

"Perhaps a few days,--perhaps weeks,--and then he will come back and
kill me,--or--or--worse! Don't take that paper, Mr. Gridley,--he is