pleased that Nell should receive other male company
than himself.

"I will enter. I think she will see me when she knows who has come,"
said he, pushing past the negress, and entering the front room.

He seated himself in an armchair, and proceeded to coolly await the
coming of the mistress of the house.

Soon Nell Darrel came in. Her face was suffused with smiles, which
evidenced that she had heard good news. Elliston, however, flattered
himself that it was his coming that caused the pleased look on the
face of the detective's sister.

"A pleasant day, Mr. Elliston."

"Rather."

He rose and held out his hand. She did not accept it, much to his
chagrin.

"Aren't you glad to see me, Nell?" he queried. "I've been absent
almost a week, and I thought you would be longing for my company by
this time."

A smile of self-assurance crossed his dark face.

"I have no reason to regard you with any more consideration than on
your former visit," she said. "Have you seen my brother?"

"Yes."

"Where is he now?"

"In Iowa, I presume."

"He is well?"

"He was when I parted with him, a short time since. You haven't heard
from him?"

"Yes. He was then in a small town in the South or West, I believe."

Thus they chatted for some time.

During the past few days a desperate resolve had taken possession of
Elliston's brain. He admired the pretty Nell now more than ever, and
he was determined to make one more effort to win her regard before
going to extremes.

That morning he had braced his nerves with several draughts of brandy,
and the fumes yet affected him, thus rendering him extremely
imprudent, to say the least.

"Nell, Jule tells me you had company when I came. Who was it?"

"A gentleman."

"Aye, but his name?"

The man's eyes glittered, and seemed to pierce with their keenness to
the soul of the girl who sat in front of him. She could smell his
breath, too, and the fact that he had been drinking made her a little
nervous.

She was anxious for him to depart.

"He is not one of your acquaintances," replied Nell, evasively.

"But one of yours, it seems," sneered the man, in a tone that was the
least bit disrespectful.

"Mr. Elliston, did you come here to insult me?"

"Certainly not," he answered in a gentler tone. "Forgive me, Nellie; I
can't abide having another win the affections of one I so much covet.
If you only knew, Nell----"

"Mr. Elliston, don't."

Both came to their feet.

He advance