Another pause; another bar of that lovely music. "And he is a gentleman, you say?" was her hurried remark at last. "Yes, and a very handsome one." "And they have put him in prison?" "Yes, or will on the morrow." She turned and leaned against a window-frame near by, looking with eyes that saw nothing into the still vast night. "I suppose he has friends," she faintly suggested. "Two sisters, if no one nearer and dearer." "Thou hast called me thy angel in moments of bliss, And thy angel I 'll be, 'mid the horrors of this-- Through the furnace, unshrinking, thy steps to pursue, And shield thee, and save thee--or perish there too," rang the mellow song. "I am not well," she suddenly cried, leaving the window and turning quickly toward Mr. Byrd. "I am much obliged to you," said she, lowering her voice to a whisper, for the last note of the song was dying away in a quivering _pianissimo_. "I have been deeply interested in this tragedy, and am thankful for any information in regard to it. I must now bid you good-evening." And with a stately bow into which she infused the mingled courtesy and haughtiness of her nature, she walked steadily away through the crowd that vainly sought to stay her, and disappeared, almost without a pause, behind the door that opened into the hall. Mr. Byrd remained for a full half-hour after that, but he never could tell what he did, or with whom he conversed, or how or when he issued from the house and made his way back to his room in the hotel. He only knew that at midnight he was still walking the floor, and had not yet made up his mind to take the step which his own sense of duty now inexorably demanded. XI. DECISION. Who dares To say that he alone has found the truth. --LONGFELLOW. THE next morning Mr. Ferris was startled by the appearance in his office of Mr. Byrd, looking wretchedly anxious and ill. "I have come," said the detective, "to ask you what you think of Mr. Hildreth's prospects. Have you made up your mind to have him arrested for this crime?" "Yes," was the reply. "The evidence against him is purely circumstantial, but it is very strong; and if no fresh developments occur, I think there can be no doubt about my duty. Each and every fact that comes to light only strengthens the case against him. When he came to be examined last night, a ring was found on his person, which he acknowledged to having worn on the day of the murder." "He took it off during the inquest," murmured Mr. Byrd; "I saw him."