itself as that peculiar article of woman's clothing, a small side bag.

"I remember that bag," said Harper. "I saw it, or one exactly like it, in
Mrs. Ransom's hand when she got into the coach the day we all rode up
from the ferry. What will he have to say about it? and could he have seen
the body from which it has evidently been torn?"

CHAPTER XXVI

HAZEN

"An unfathomable man," grumbled Mr. Harper, entering Mr. Ransom's room in
marked disorder. "They say that he has not spoken yet; but the coroner is
with him and we shall hear something from him soon. I expect--" here the
lawyer's voice changed and his manner took on meaning--"that his report
will be final."

"Final? You mean--"

"What his fainting face showed. For all its pallor and the exhaustion it
expressed, there was triumph in its every feature. The little bag was not
all he saw in that pit of hell. You must prepare yourself for no common
ordeal, Ransom; it will take all your courage to listen to his story."

"I know." The words came with difficulty but not without a certain manly
courage. "I shall try not to make you too much trouble." Then after a
moment of oppressive silence, "Did you notice, when we all came in, the
figure of a woman disappearing up the stair way? It was Anitra's and it
paused before it reached the top, and I saw her eyes staring down at
Hazen's helpless figure with a wildness in its inquiry that has sapped
all my courage. How are we to answer that girl when she asks us what has
happened? How make her know that Hazen is her brother and that he has
just risked his life to satisfy himself and us that Georgian was really
lost in that dreadful pool."

The lawyer, darting a keen glance at the speaker, softly shook his head.

"I am not thinking of Miss Hazen," said he. "I'm wondering how far the
proof he has obtained will go." He paused, listening, then made a gesture
towards the hall. "There's some one there," he whispered.

Ransom rose, and with a quick turn of the wrist pulled open the door.

A man was standing on the threshold, a ghastly figure before which Ransom
involuntarily stepped back.

"Hazen!" he cried; then, as the other tottered, he sprang forward again
and, reaching out his hand to steady him, drew him in with the remark,
"We were expecting a summons from you. We are happy that you find
yourself able to come to us."

"The coroner has just gone. The doctors I dismissed. I have something to
say to you--to both