t a vial once broke on me and if I hadn't gotten
away in a hurry I should have been smothered. And now--"

"Have you carried any of It lately?"

"No, not for a month. I was afraid of it, and so was the firm. We got
rid of it, and I was glad of it." He bit his lip meditatively. "And
they think--they suspect--that that drug was used? It may be."

"Cannot you trace where the drug went to, Tom?"

"That might be possible, although a good many people saw and heard of
it while our firm handled it."

"Was any of it sold or used in the vicinity of Sidham?"

"No, but--" The young commercial traveler stopped short. "I
think--But no, it can't be. And yet--"

"What, Tom?" she asked eagerly.

He shook his head. "What's the use? It would only drag me into the
mud deeper. I really can't see what's to do," he went on with
something of anguish in his tones.

"I am certain the very best thing you can do is to go to Uncle Adam and
tell him everything. He will help you and clear up this great mystery."

"But he is working for Margaret."

"Yes, but I know he will work for you--after he has heard your story.
But you must tell him everything."

"Where is he now?"

"Somewhere around your mother's home, or in Sidham, I think. I can
find out for you,"

"Very well, I will go to him and ask him if he is willing to side with
me as well as with Margaret. But watt, I think I'll go and see
Margaret first. You can send word to Mr. Adams that I want to see him.
Tell him I will be at the Beechwood Hotel. He can send me a message
there. Tell him I can clear up some points which may seem queer to
him."

"I will, Tom," Letty looked much relieved. "Oh, I am sure he will help
you! He has never yet failed to accomplish anything he has undertaken!"

An hour later saw Tom Ostrello on his way to Sidham. His face was
careworn and he looked to be ten years older than he had a week before.
He was in a thoughtful mood and scarcely looked out of the car window
as the train rushed onward to its destination.

Arriving at the town, he speedily learned that Margaret had been taken
to the home of Martha Sampson and was said to be in a serious if not
dangerous state. This caused him to halt, and he was half inclined to
give up the idea of interviewing her,

"It will only make her condition worse," he mused. "And, poor girl,
she seems to have suffered more than her share already. Perhaps I had
better wait until I hear from Adam Ad