ed Nick that a lady wished
to see him.

Nick glanced at her card.

"Violet Page," he muttered. "I know no lady named Violet Page. Is she
young or old?"

"Young, sir."

"Did you admit her?"

"She is in the library, sir."

"Very well. I will see her presently. Request her to wait a few
moments."

Nick delayed only to finish his dinner, then repaired to the library. As
he entered the attractively furnished room his visitor quickly arose
from one of the easy-chairs and hastened to approach him.

Nick beheld a young lady of exquisite beauty and modest bearing, and
though her sweet face, then very pale and distressed, struck him as one
he had previously seen, he at first could not place her.

"Are you Mr. Carter--Detective Carter?" she hurriedly, inquired, in
tremulous accents of appeal.

Nick had a warm place in his heart for one so timid and distressed as
this girl appeared, and he bowed very kindly.

"Yes, Miss Page," said he. "What can I do for you? You appear to be in
trouble."

"I am in trouble--terrible trouble, sir," cried the girl, with a
half-choked sob. "Oh, Mr. Carter, I come to you in despair, a girl
without friends or advisers, and who knows not whither to turn. I have
been told that you have a kind heart, and that you are the one man able
to solve the dreadful mystery which--"

Nick cheered her pathetic flood of words with a kindly gesture.

"Calm yourself, Miss Page," said he, in a sort of paternal way. "Resume
your chair, please. Though I am somewhat pressed for time just now I
will give you at least a few moments."

"Oh, thank you, sir!"

"Be calm, however, in order that we may accomplish all the more."

"I will, sir."

"To what mystery do you refer? What is the occasion of your terrible
distress?"

Violet Page subdued her agitation and hastened to reply.

"My maid and companion, a girl named Mary Barton," said she, "was found
dead in Central Park late this afternoon. Nor is that all, Detective
Carter. A very dear friend of mine, named Harry Boyden, has been
arrested, under suspicion of having killed her. Oh, sir, that could not
be possible!"

Nick felt an immediate increase of interest.

He decided that Miss Violet Page was the very person he wanted to
interview, and while he did not then exhibit any knowledge of the case,
he proceeded to question her with his own ends in view, at the same time
ringing a signal for Chick to join him, which the latter presently did.

"Where d