uld be so much labor
thrown away."

Mr. Gryce bowed. "I remember," said he. "I was not alluding to any
connection you may have had with the girl in this house, but to the
interview you were seen to have with her on the corner of Broome Street
some days ago. You had such an interview, did you not?"

A flush, deep as it was sudden, swept over Mr. Blake's usually unmoved
cheek. "You are transgressing sir," said he and stopped. Though a man of
intense personal pride, he had but little of that quality called temper,
or perhaps if he had, thought it unwise to display it on this occasion.
"I saw and spoke to a girl on the corner of that street some days ago,"
he went on more mildly, "but that she was the one who lived here,
I neither knew at the time nor feel willing to believe now without
positive proof." Then in a deep ringing tone the stateliness of which it
would be impossible to describe, he inquired, "Have the city authorities
presumed to put a spy on my movements, that the fact of my speaking to
a poor forsaken creature on the corner of the street should be not only
noted but remembered?"

"Mr. Blake," observed Mr. Gryce, and I declare I was proud of my
superior at that moment, "no man who is a true citizen and a
Christian should object to have his steps followed, when by his own
thoughtlessness, perhaps, he has incurred a suspicion which demands it."

"And do you mean to say that I have been followed," inquired he,
clenching his hand and looking steadily, but with a blanching cheek,
first at Mr. Gryce then at me.

"It was indispensable," quoth that functionary gently.

The outraged gentleman riveted his gaze upon me. "In town and out of
town?" demanded he.

I let Mr. Gryce reply. "It is known that you have lately sought to visit
the Schoenmakers," said he.

Mr. Blake drew a deep breath, cast his eyes about the handsome apartment
in which we were, let them rest for a moment upon a portrait that graced
one side of the wall, and which was I have since learned a picture of
his father, and slowly drew forward a chair. "Let me hear what your
suspicions are," said he.

I noticed Mr. Gryce colored at this; he had evidently been met in a
different way from what he expected. "Excuse me," said he, "I do not say
I have any suspicions; my errand is simply to notify you of the death of
the girl you were seen to speak with, and to ask whether or not you
can give us any information that can aid us in the matter before the