This man had a wonderful power over his mind, and could control it at will. When he was ready to sleep he dismissed all thought and secured solid rest, so that when he woke up his mind was as clear as a bell. To such a fact he owed much of his success. With the morning he was up and out. It was a fair day, and Eric hoped he might look upon this as an emblem of luck—that his case might prove as clear. His first thought was to get some specimen of Mrs. Leslie’s writing. To do this he must visit the house but waited until Joe would probably be on his way down to his business. Then he went to the dwelling up town. He asked to see Mrs. Leslie and was shown in. Being left alone for a short time he glanced around as if in hope of seeing an opportunity to carry out his design. A desk caught his eye—if he only had the opportunity to look through it he felt sure he could find what he wanted, for it was undoubtedly the property of Lillian Leslie. There were several books on the library table. These he examined hastily. He hoped to find one that Lillian might have written her name in, for he believed that it would be easy to compare the writing and pronounce sentence from that. In this, however, he was disappointed. Joe’s name was in several, the books being inscribed, with love, to his wife. This only proved his great love. Eric was ready to swear by it now, and did not mean to let the case drop until he had sifted it thoroughly—such honest affection as Joe’s should never be made sport of in a friend of his, even by the prettiest witch that ever trod the earth—at least not with his approval. The rustle of female attire drew his attention, and, turning, he found himself face to face with the lady of the house. He had not sent up his name and she appeared quite surprised at seeing who it was. “You, Mr. Darrell?” “At your service, Mrs. Leslie.” “What do you wish this morning, sir?” There was something of coldness in her tones. He could not tell whence it sprung, as there were several things that might cause it. Perhaps she felt humiliated in his presence because she had let him see her weakness, jealousy of her husband’s affection. Then, again, if she were guilty she might fear him because he was a detective and Joe’s friend. He suspended judgment and resolved to study this fair creature more closely than he had as yet had a chance to do. CHAPTER XIV ANOTHER LINK IN THE CHAIN All these things had flashed through Darrell’s mind with a rapidity that lightning alone could equal, for there is nothing more rapid than thought. He maintained his suave manner.