Deane met Mrs. Hefferom a few months afterwards, and was struck at once by her altered expression. They came face to face at the corner of a street, and both involuntarily stopped. "I hope," said Deane, politely, "that you are making good use of my money." "And I hope," she answered, laughing, "that you are making more fortunes from my mine." "I am doing fairly well, thank you," Deane admitted, "but you know that I have a wife to keep now." "And I a husband," she answered. "I am trying to reform Stephen Hefferom." "I hope that you are succeeding?" "On the whole, yes!" she declared, smiling. "We live at Streatham, and he goes in to the city every day. He has bought a share in a business. We are not millionaires yet, but one never can tell." "At any rate," he remarked pleasantly, "to judge by your appearance I should say that you find it better than Rakney." "Don't mention the place, or any one in it," she said, with a shiver. "Thank Heaven, I shall never have to go back to it! Stephen is really doing very well, and half the money is still settled upon me. You have no idea," she continued, "how domesticity has agreed with him. He has scarcely a vice left." "It has made a lot of difference to me," returned Deane. "Can't you recognize my subdued appearance?" "I never saw you looking so well," she answered frankly. "Now I must hurry off. I am going to call for my husband and take him to lunch." "And I am going to fetch my wife for the same reason," Deane answered, smiling. "The best of luck to you both!" They parted in the crowd, swept away by the flood, the endless tide of passing humanity, and with a smile upon his lips Deane went to his appointment. THE END Other Works: LITTLE, BROWN, & CO., PUBLISHERS PASSERS-BY _By_ ANTHONY PARTRIDGE Author of "The Kingdom of Earth," etc. "_Mystery upon mystery_" Has the merit of engaging the reader's attention at once and holding it to the end.--_New York Sun._ It is exciting, is plausibly and cleverly written, and is not devoid of a love motive.--_Chicago Examiner._ It can be heartily recommended to those who enjoy a novel with a good plot, entertaining characters, and one which is carefully written.--_Chicago Tribune._ One of the most fascinating mystery stories of recent years, a tale that catches the attention at the beginning and tightens the grip of its hold with the turn of its pages.--_Boston Globe._ A mysterious story in which nearly all the personages are as much puzzled as the reader and a detective encounters a unique surprise. Originality is the most striking characteristic of the personages.--_New York Times._ The first chapter compels the absorbed interest of the reader and lays the groundwork for a thrilling tale in which mystery follows upon mystery through a series of dramatic situations and surprises.--_Philadelphia Press._ THE DISTRIBUTORS _By_ ANTHONY PARTRIDGE _An absorbing novel of a great London mystery_