In deepest mourning, which enhanced her childlike loveliness, the exquisite little actress whose impersonations of young girls upon the stage have made her famous all over the continent consented to receive the representative of the New York _Blaze_. It was with a touching simplicity that she said: “We had intended to postpone the announcement of our engagement until later, but he has been taken from me, and why keep silent any longer? It is, in a way, a comfort to let the world know that we were to have been married—that, at least, I have the right to mourn for him!” Her sweet voice was choked with sobs, and in the eyes of even the seasoned interviewer there were tears. Barrison shook his head, and smiled a wry, cynical smile. “Not so prostrated that she can’t make capital out of it!” he commented to himself. “Lost no time, I must say. However, it’s no concern of mine.” Refreshed by his sound sleep, he rushed through the process of dressing like a whirlwind, and went off to try the doubtful experiment of another call upon Mr. Dukane. But before he went up to the great man’s office, he paused to take due thought. After all, was it the best thing to do? He considered, and before he had decided, the door of the elevator opened, and young Norman Crane came out. He looked fresh and wholesome as ever, but, Jim thought, a bit anxious. He greeted the detective cordially. “Hello!” he said. “Beastly mess it all is, isn’t it? Were you going up to see the old man? Because you won’t. Not unless you’ve an awful drag at court! Every one in the world is waiting in the outer office, all the poor old ‘Boots-and-Saddles’ bunch, and everybody in town that’s left over.” “I hadn’t made up my mind whether I was going up or not,” admitted Barrison. “Now I have, I think. I’ll walk along with you, if you’ve no objection?” “Rather not! I’m——” He hesitated. “I’m going to inquire for Sybil.” “How _is_ Miss Merivale? I was sorry to hear that she was so ill.” “Who told you? Oh, it would be Lowry, of course! I can’t get used to the idea of having Sybil watched and spied on by policemen. Beg pardon!” He flushed boyishly. “I don’t mean to be offensive, Mr. Barrison, and you never strike me like that quite, but—you must know what I mean?” “Naturally I do,” said Jim, who liked the lad. “And, if you don’t mind, I’ll come with you when you go to inquire—not in a professional capacity!” he added hastily, seeing the glint of suspicion in the other’s transparent eyes. Crane laughed a little awkwardly. “I’d be very glad to have you,” he said frankly, “and, for that matter, in your professional capacity, too! Mr. Barrison, am I right in thinking that—that man suspects Sybil?” “Suspects is rather a plain term and rather a strong one. I don’t think he absolutely suspects her; but there are things that will need a bit of clearing up.”