o be a small, square box, done
up in brown wrapping paper, and secured with a string."

"Did he make any inquiries about it?"

"He asked her what it was, and she told him it was for me."

"Did she tell him where she got it?"

"Yes, sir, she did; and I am quite mystified by it."

"Please explain," said Nick. "What did the Barton girl say about the
parcel?"

"She said it was given to her by a woman whom she had met on Fifth
Avenue a short time before."

"An acquaintance?"

"No, sir; a strange woman," continued Violet. "Yet the stranger must
have known Mary, and that she lived with me, for she asked her if I was
at home."

"And then?"

"When told that I was, she gave Mary the package and asked her to
deliver it to me, into my hands only, as it was a gift from a friend."

"Was the name of the friend mentioned?"

"I think not, sir. The woman cautioned Mary against opening the package,
stating in explanation that she wished me to be the first to see what it
contained."

"These are the facts which Mary Barton told to Harry Boyden, are they?"
demanded Nick, with an ominous ring stealing into his voice.

"Yes, sir, they are."

"And the statements which Boyden, in turn, made to the officer by whom
he was arrested at your home?"

"That is right, sir. I heard them from Harry's own lips."

"Did Mary Barton have any idea of the identity of the woman from whom
she received the package?"

"I think not, sir. She told Harry that the woman was veiled, and that
she could not see her face. The incident seemed so strange, sir, that
Mary gave Harry Boyden all of these particulars."

"Did she describe the strange woman, her form or her attire?"

"I think she stated that the woman was plainly clad. Nothing more
definite that I know of."

"In fact, Miss Page, you have now told me all that you know about the
case, haven't you?"

"Really, sir, I think I have," admitted Violet, with a look of anxious
appeal.

Nick drew out his watch and glanced quickly at it.

"Ring for a carriage, Chick," said he abruptly. "We have no time to
lose."

"I'll call one at once," nodded Chick, as he sprang up and hastened from
the room.

"Am I to depart now, Detective Carter?" asked Violet, beginning to
tremble. "Oh, sir, will you not give me some word of encouragement
before I go? I am sure that Harry Boyden never committed--"

"Hush!" interposed Nick, rising and taking her kindly by the hand.

"I cannot at present tell you, Miss