A Strange Disappearance

e halls, I could not but notice how rich, though sombre were the old fashioned walls and heavily frescoed ceilings,

sideration fled save that of professional pride and curiosity. For almost at first blush, I saw that whether Mrs. Daniels was correct or not in her surmises as to the manner of the girl's disappearance, the fact that she had disappeared was likely to prove an affair of some importance. For, let me state the facts in the order in which I noticed them. The first thing that impressed me was, that whatev

ch has always been devoted to sewing," said she; "and when Emily came, I thought it would be easier

on the vase half full of partly withered roses, on the mantel-piece, the Shakespeare, and

cupied the bed the night before; second, that there had been some sort of struggle or surprise,-one of the curtains being violently torn as if grasped by an agita

om to hers and it was by that means we entered. There was a chair

cult for a man to gain the street from that spot in a dark night, for the

sly, "couldn't she have

out to step out upon the roof when I bethought to inquire

drawers which she turned hastily over. "No, nothing is

hat?"

dly closing the bureau drawer;

y very unwilling frame of mind." And somewhat disgusted, I was about to throw up the wh

t. But," she went on with even an increase in her old tone of heart-felt conviction, "no matte

ew women in her position would use it even under circ

seem to show, why should you, no relative as you acknowledge, take the

on, without my being forced to declare just why I should be willing to do so? Am I bound to tell you I love the girl? that I believe she has been taken away by foul means, and that

is but on that very account

he is the one to take t

g however as she spoke, "that Mr. Blake t

the room. "How long have you

of Mr. Blake's father

ve remained with M

s s

ly, when did

e eleven mont

rish

She is not a co

That she was educated, la

cated. Yet she knew a great many things the rest of us did'nt. She liked to read, you

Was she the weak common-place creature she seemed, or had she really some

l?" I inquired. "Where did

ut herself. She came to me for work and I li

as served

elle

uch? Had an

Never went out and ne

st first find out if she left this house alone or in company with others.

matter that the whole police force need be stirred up on the subject; and if the woman had money, as she said, ready to give the man who should discover the whereabouts of this girl, why need that money be divided up any more than was necess

pause and ask myself if this was going to turn out to be a tragedy after all. It was a drop of congealed blood. Further on towards the window was another, and yes, further still, another and another. I even found one upon the very window ledge itself. B

ooking for?" cr

n the window sill. "Do

d she, and stood staring, with rapidly paling cheeks and

not finish

er blood?" she whisper

spot where I had at last discovered not only one crimson drop b

t," murmured she. "What are yo

urned I; and stepping to the window I telegraph

e saw at t

ed as

ts drawn expression. "O I am

n documents of any kind, only a few sheets of paper, with pen, ink, etc.; the brush and hairpins scattered on the bureau as though the girl had been interrupted while arranging her hair (if she had been interrupted); and

his finger-ends in a moment, and was up-stairs and in that room before I, who am called the quickest man in the force as you all know, could have time to determine just what difference his presen

niels who had withdrawn into a recess in the lower hall while all this w

in the face. "I am a poor one for noticing. I will call one of the girl

e thoughtfully took down a vase that stoo

t ventur

had with her a trim-looking gi

ou want to hear. I have explained to her," she went on, nodding towards Mr. Gryce with a composure such as she had not be

re. Then carelessly shifting his glance to the cleaning-cloth which Fanny held rather

er head just a trif

I rubbed the spoons with it. As for her eyes, they was blacker than her hair, which was the blackest I ever see. She had no fles

Mrs. Daniels, though his gaze rested with curious intentne

udden display of energy, "Emily's figure is not what you would call plump. I have s

s soft way. "You said the girl's hair and e

girl simpering, as she set

see yo

f her cap w

y. And the other girls? You

returned M

lexions? Are they lig

about lik

ast in a way that assured me of his sa

ed leisurely into the hall, whom at first glance I recognized as the master of the house. He was dressed for the stree

e light shining through the windows at our right, fell full upon his face, revealing such a self-absorbed and melancholy expressio

, bowing in that deferential wa

looked hastily up. Meeting Mr. Gryce's bland smile, he returned

in your employ had disappeared from your house last night in a somewhat strange and unusual way, and I just stepped over with my man here,

glanced around and detecting Mrs. Daniels, said:

ing to find it d

k," said he, "such extreme measures were necessary; the girl will doubtless com

t intent and concentrated look, "that the girl did not go alone, but was helpe

sure of what you say, demands, perhaps, some inquiry. I would not wish to put anything in the way of justice succo

thought she was going to speak, but instead of tha

id not seem

occupied by this girl, I may be able to show you certain evidences wh

e with the faintest show of asperity. "Yet if there is anything to see of a startling nature, per

replied that woman, nervously eyeing his face. "It w

a nicety, as if these details were an unnecessary bore to him, and motioned her

murmured, turning towards Mr. Gryce. "I am sure when you tell him

with Mr. Blake, whom this small opposi

And ignoring my presence with all the egotism of extreme agitation,