“I doubt very much, nevertheless, that he would have dictated such a letter as this,” said Nick, when Patsy returned it to him. “That’s true, chief, for fair.” “Bear in mind, Mr. Carter, that it would have been dictated to the girl with whom he is said to have eloped,” put in Mr. Strickland suggestively. “Admitting that, even, he would have been much more likely to have written so personal and private a letter,” Nick replied. “Who is his stenographer?” “Her name is Pauline Perrot,” said Mina. “A French girl?” “Of French extraction, I think.” “You have seen her?” “Yes. She has been out here twice in the past ten days with Mr. Gordon. She boards in Fordham, through which he passes when coming out here with his touring car. He has, for that reason, frequently taken her home from his office when on his way here.” “Is she a very attractive girl?” Nick inquired. “I don’t think so,” said Mina, with brows knitting. “She is tall and dark, with black hair, and eyes that frighten me. I tremble when she looks at me. She fills me with awe, and---- Oh, Mr. Carter, I have felt sure there was something wrong, some calamity coming, though I could not imagine what. A cloud has been hanging over me ever since I first saw Pauline Perrot.” “How long has she been in Gordon’s employ?” “Four or five months, I think.” “Have you suspected her of other than business relations with him?” “Not for a moment,” cried Mina. “Nor do I now believe him guilty of anything wrong. I feel sure he is the victim of a plot, a conspiracy, or----” “One moment,” said Nick. “Did he come out here with his touring car yesterday afternoon?” “He did, but sent his chauffeur home with it. I wondered at that, Mr. Carter, for he never had done so before, nor did he offer any explanation.” “And you did not question him?” “No, sir.” “Did he appear as usual?” “Not quite,” Wilhelmina admitted. “In what way was he different?” “He was more serious and self-absorbed, as if he had something on his mind. He remained with us only a short time, then said he was going out to see how the work on the links was progressing. He added that he would return a little later. That was the last I saw of him,” Mina concluded, with a sob. “There is much more to this, Mr. Carter,” said Mr. Strickland. “I went out to seek him, or make further inquiries concerning him, after our servant stated that he had gone.” “What did you learn?” “I was told by one of the workmen that he left the links about five o’clock. When last seen by them he was walking south toward a woodland road in that locality. I continued my search in that direction, and I soon met two women who had seen him.” “Women you knew?” “Yes, two sisters, Mary and Ellen Dawson. They could not be mistaken, for both were employed here by Mr. Gordon to help clean and settle this house.” “Ah, I see,” Nick nodded. “When and where did they see him?”