m that he must
place implicit confidence in me, and not try to interfere in any manner
with my plans. If he could not do this, I should withdraw at once. He
must come in to see me often and keep me well informed; but he must not
expect me to tell him about my plans, any further than I should see fit.
I should try to show Pattmore's villainous character to Annie, and if I
could gather sufficient evidence that he had poisoned his wife, I should
bring him to justice. I then told the Captain that he ought to have a
quarrel with Annie, at the end of which he should burn his will in her
presence, and leave her; on going out, he should tell her that he
intended immediately to deposit his ready money in bank, and make a will
wholly in favor of Lucy. This would prevent Annie from again attempting
his life, as she would have nothing to gain by his death.

The Captain was satisfied to accept my conditions, and he said that he
had full confidence in my ability. All that he desired was to save Annie
from the power of Pattmore, and from the ruin which would inevitably
result from their further intercourse. He then went home to have his
quarrel with his sister.

I determined to send a detective named Miller, to Greenville, to obtain
board at the Pattmore House, and, if possible, to become intimate with
the proprietor. This part of my plan would require prompt action, as
Pattmore might succeed in removing all evidences of his guilt. I
therefore, sent for Mr. Miller, and went over all the facts of the case
with him, giving him full instructions as to his duties. He was to hail
from Bangor, Maine, and to represent that he wished to start in the
lumber business in Greenville, if the prospects were good. I told him to
post himself thoroughly upon the qualities and prices of all kinds of
lumber, lath, shingles, etc., and to read up the local history of
Bangor. To make matters easier for him, I gave him a letter of
introduction to a lumber dealer in Greenville, with whom I was well
acquainted. The next day, Miller was ready, and he took passage to
Buffalo by steamer, going thence to Greenville by rail. He then took a
room at the Pattmore House, and soon became acquainted with the
proprietor.

The same day that I gave Miller his instructions, I sent for Miss
Seaton, one of the detectives in the female department, and ordered her
to make arrangements to take board in the same house with Captain Sumner
and Mrs. Thayer. Miss Seaton was a brun