second shot was fired, so can prove an alibi."

"I'm not bothering about who fired the second shot," said Miss Greeby
leisurely, "but as to who wrote that letter. Once we find the forger,
we'll soon discover the assassin."

"True; but how are you going about it?"

"I shall see Silver and force him to give me the letter."

"If you can."

"Oh, I'll manage somehow. The little beast's a coward, and I'll bully
him into compliance." Miss Greeby spoke very confidently. "Then we'll
see the kind of paper the letter is written on, and there may be an
envelope which would show where it was posted. Of course, the forger
must be well acquainted with Agnes's handwriting."

"That's obvious," said Lambert promptly. "Well, I suppose that your way
of starting the matter is the best. But we have only four days before
Silver makes his move."

"When I get the letter he won't make any move," reported Miss Greeby,
and she looked very determined.

"Let us hope so. But, Clara, before you return to town I wish you would
see Mother Cockleshell."

"That old gypsy fortune-teller, who looks like an almshouse widow? Why?"

"She hates Chaldea, and I suspect that Chaldea has something to do with
the matter of this conspiracy."

"Ha!" Miss Greeby rubbed her aquiline nose. "A conspiracy. Perhaps you
may be right. But its reason?"

Lambert colored. "Chaldea wants me to marry her, you know."

"The minx! I know she does. I warned you against having her to sit for
you, Lambert. But there's no sense in your suggestion, my boy. It wasn't
any catch for her to get Pine killed and leave his wife free to marry
you."

"No. And yet--and yet--hang it," the young man clutched his hair in
desperation and glared at the fire, "I can't see any motive."

"Nor can I. Unless it is to be found in the City."

"Gypsies are more lawless than City men," observed the other quickly,
"and Hearne would have enemies rather than Pine."

"I don't agree with you," said Miss Greeby, rising and getting ready to
go away. "Hearne was nobody: Pine was a millionaire. Successful men have
enemies all over the shop."

"At the inquest it was said that Pine had no enemies."

"Oh, rubbish. A strong man like that couldn't make such a fortune
without exciting envy. I'll bet that his assassin is to be found in a
frock coat and a silk hat. However, I'll look up Mother Cockleshell, as
it is just as well to know what she thinks of this pretty gypsy hussy of
yours."

"Not of mine.