Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer THE MAYOR’S WIFE by Anna Katherine Green CONTENTS CHAPTER I A SPY’S DUTY II QUESTIONS III IN THE GABLE WINDOW IV LIGHTS-SOUNDS V THE STRANGE NEIGHBORS NEXT DOOR VI AT THE STAIR-HEAD VII A MOVING SHADOW VIII THE PARAGRAPH IX SCRAPS X A GLIMMER OF THE TRUTH XI BESS XII SEARCHINGS XIII A DISCOVERY XIV I SEEK HELP XV HARDLY A COINCIDENCE XVI IN THE LIBRARY XVII THE TWO WEIRD SISTERS XVIII THE MORNING NEWS XIX THE CRY FROM THE STAIRS XX EXPLANATION XXI THE CIPHER XXII MERCY XXIII THE WIFE’S TALE XXIV THE SINS OF THE FATHERS XXV THE FINGER ON THE WALL XXVI “BITTER AS THE GRAVE” XXVII A CHILD’S PLAYTHINGS XXVIII RESTITUTION CHAPTER I. A SPY’S DUTY I am not without self-control, yet when Miss Davies entered the room with that air of importance she invariably assumes when she has an unusually fine position to offer, I could not hide all traces of my anxiety. I needed a position, needed it badly, while the others-- But her eyes are on our faces, she is scanning us all with that close and calculating gaze which lets nothing escape. She has passed me by--my heart goes down, down--when suddenly her look returns and she singles me out. “Miss Saunders.” Then, “I have a word to say to you.” There is a rustle about me; five disappointed girls sink back into their seats as I quickly rise and follow Miss Davies out. In the hall she faced me with these words: “You are discreet, and you evidently desire a position. You will find a gentleman in my sitting-room. If you come to terms with him, well and good. If not, I shall expect you to forget all about him and his errand the moment you leave his presence. You understand me?” “I think so,” I replied, meeting her steady look with one equally composed. Part of my strength--and I think I have some strength--lies in the fact that I am quietest when most deeply roused. “I am not to talk whatever the outcome.” “Not even to me,” she emphasized. Stirred still further and therefore outwardly even more calm than before, I stopped her as she was moving on and ventured a single query. “This position--involving secrecy--is it one you would advise me to take, even if I did not stand in need of it so badly?” “Yes. The difficulties will not be great to a discreet person. It is a first-class opportunity for a young woman as experienced as yourself.”