have done him."

"Do not despair, Mrs. Thayer," I said; "Henry may be willing to forgive
and forget if you show yourself ready to return his affection. However,
the first business is to circumvent Pattmore, and you must lend your
assistance."

"What are you going to do with me?" she asked, in a timid voice.

"I shall let you go home," I replied; "but I shall keep a strict watch
upon your actions, and if you show a spirit of true repentance, I will
shield you from the penalties of your crimes. You will be called upon to
testify in court against Pattmore, and then your brother will take you
to his farm in Connecticut. You can go now, but your brother must come
here and become responsible for your appearance when wanted. One thing
more, Mrs. Thayer; you are receiving letters from Pattmore every day;
now, I wish you to send me all his letters without opening or answering
them. If you attempt to deceive me in anything I shall be obliged to put
you in prison."

"Oh, no, no!" she said, eagerly; "you can trust me, I assure you, for I
know that I am in your power; a fortune-teller told me so."

"Well, well, I don't care anything about fortune-tellers--I never saw
one that wasn't a humbug--but you may depend upon it that I cannot be
deceived, and I will not be trifled with. You can go home now and tell
your brother to come over here to become your security."

So saying, I called a carriage and sent her home in charge of one of my
men. On returning to my office, I found Mrs. Warne awaiting me. I
complimented her very highly on her success, and told her that she need
not continue the business of fortune-telling more than a day or two
longer. I told her to be careful not to receive Mrs. Thayer again,
however, but to instruct the usher to tell her that Madam Lucille never
received any lady a second time after having completed her horoscope.

In about half an hour Captain Sumner came in. I told him that I was now
master of the situation, and that I would make a decided move in a day
or two.

"Yes," said the Captain, "Annie has told me a great deal, and she says
that I must become responsible for her, and guarantee that she shall not
leave town. How have you accomplished all this? I cannot understand it."

"Some day perhaps I will tell you all about it," I replied, "but I
cannot do so just now. I wish you to bring your sister here to-morrow
morning; I will prepare an affidavit for her to sign, and then we shall
soon have Patt