CHAPTER IX A Discovery Miss Levinworth, who appeared to have

lingered from a vague terror of everything and everybody in the house, not under her immediate

observation, shrank from my side the moment she found herself left comparatively alone,

and retiring to a distant corner gave herself up to grief, turning my attention, therefore,

in the direction of Mr. Greys.

I found that person visibly engaged in counting his own fingers with a troubled expression

upon his countenance, which may or may not have been the result of that arduous employment.

But at my approach, satisfied, perhaps, that he possessed no more than the requisite number,

he dropped his hands and greeted me with the faint smile which was, considering all things

too suggestive to be pleasant.

Well, said I, taking my stand before him, I cannot blame you.

You had a right to do as you thought best.

But how had you the heart?

Was she not sufficiently compromised without your bringing out that wretched handkerchief,

which she may or may not have dropped in that room, but whose presence there, soiled

though it was, with pistol grease, is certainly no proof that she herself was connected with

this murder.

Mr. Raymond, he returned, I have been detailed as police officer and detective to look after

this case, and I propose to do it.

Of course, I hasten to apply.

I am the last man to wish you to shirk your duty, but you cannot have the temerity to declare

that this young and tender creature can by any possibility be considered as it all likely

...