s extended straight toward me while he approached, was a
silver box--the exact likeness of the one you hold, and which you so
abruptly showed me a short time ago."

"Ah, I see," nodded Nick.

"In my present nervous condition, Detective Carter, the sight of the
real casket, after so horrible a dream, was more than I could sustain.
Fairly before I knew it, I had fainted."

"A curious dream and a startling sequence," said Nick. "Evidently coming
events have been casting their shadows before. I am sorry to have
shocked you so severely."

"Pray don't speak of it, Mr. Carter," protested Violet. "I am now quite
recovered."

"Then we will at once proceed to business again," said Nick. "Am I to
infer, Miss Page, that you know nothing at all about this casket?"

"Absolutely nothing, sir," declared Violet.

"Have you ever heard your maid, Mary Barton, speak of possessing such a
jewel box?"

"Never, sir."

"Nevertheless," said Nick, pointedly, "this casket was found beside her
dead body in Central Park this afternoon."

A half-suppressed cry broke from Violet upon hearing this.

"Oh, sir, then that must have been the package mentioned by Harry
Boyden," she cried, excitedly.

"What's that?" demanded Nick. "Have you seen Boyden since his arrest?"

"Yes, sir."

"When and where?"

"He was arrested at my home about half-past six, sir. When I learned for
what and heard the particulars, I was advised by my landlady to appeal
at once to you."

"Did you come directly here?"

"I did, sir; as fast as a carriage could bring me."

"Ah, now we shall get at it," declared Nick. "Tell me, Miss Page, just
what Boyden said about Mary Barton."

"Why, sir, he said he left her alive and well about half-past five."

"Where?"

"On her way through the park," replied Violet. "He had met her about
five o'clock, and they walked about in the park for a short time. Then
he told her that he had an errand to do, after which he was coming to
call upon me. Then Mary laughed and replied that she would see him
later."

"That doesn't smack very strongly of suicide, Chick," remarked Nick,
with a glance at the former.

"I should say not," replied Chick, with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Did Boyden know where Mary went after he left her?" inquired Nick,
reverting to his visitor.

"No, sir. He declared to the officer that he did not."

"What mention did he make of a package carried by the girl?"

"He stated that Mary had what appeared t