In age he appeared five and thirty. His face was smooth shaven, except for the long, drooping mustache which shaded the corners of his firm-lipped mouth. His dark hair, inclined to curl, was closely cropped. His brown eyes were marvelously clear and penetrating, his forehead broad and particularly full above the temples. His heavy, massive build, with the squarely cut and rather prominent chin gave him an awesome individuality, which was counteracted by the exceeding graciousness, gentleness, and courtesy of his manner. He was well known in business circles, a man keen, shrewd, and full of worldly cunning, but as honest and upright as the majority of his compeers who make or lose fortunes in a day at the mart of speculation. At present he was connected with a steel industry, and greatly interested in the fluctuations of the ore and coal market, the strikes at the mines, and the attitude of the United States Congress with reference to tariff rates. He was yet studying the columns before him, and balancing in his mind the advisability of recalling salesmen from certain localities, when the lady interrupted his thought. “Horace, have you ever noticed that pretty, sad-looking woman, dressed in black, who goes by here so frequently, leading a little child?” “Pretty, sad woman, dressed in black—small child. A definite description, truly. How many in this delightful city will answer to the same, think you? Pretty—in a city noted for handsome women; sad—few are happy; dressed in black—the fashionable street dress at present; and small child—not a scarce article, I believe. Really, Nellie, you must be more specific.” And Mr. Wylie laid his paper carefully over the arm of his chair and smiled provokingly at his wife. “Oh, you are too bad! This lady has such a sweet face, she is really conspicuous, and she always comes down Leader Avenue at about this hour and turns down Herald Street, going into one of those blocks across the way. I feel quite sure she gets sewing to do, for she usually carries a good-sized parcel with her. She is very interesting.” “Why, my dear, I am surprised at your enthusiasm. You really seem to have been cultivating a habit of observation.” Mr. Wylie leaned his head against the back of his chair and looked at his wife through half-closed eyes, while with his large, shapely hand he softly stroked his smooth chin. “A woman with a parcel and a mystery,” he continued. “I am not sure but you would shine as a female detective, Nellie. Shall I send in your name at the next meeting of the police board?” Mrs. Wylie looked at her husband with a petulant pout of her pretty lips. “You are really unkind to ridicule me when I want to be very serious. Truly, I believe this _is_ a woman with a mystery and history. She has attracted me wonderfully, as she would you could you see her. I wish I knew of some way to learn more about her.”