The House Opposite

egr

rles Fo

on Av

York

ay, Au

n't find his address

ric C

New York Bugle,

Victim as that of her vanished lodger,

e attentions. Yesterday evening, while looking over a copy of the Bugle of the preceding day, Mrs. Mulroy came across the portrait of the unknown man whose murdered body was discovered under very mysterious circumstances in an unoccupied apartment of the Rosemere, corner of -- Street and Madison Avenue, on the preceding Thursday. She at once recognized it as bearing a striking resemblance to her lodger. Thoroughly alarmed she decided to investigate the matter. After knocking sever

hat they have no other clue to go on. However, Mrs. Greywood, the young man's mother, has bee

shly trying to make a mystery of the murde

scue from Dr. Frederic

ening, Au

Cha

window commands a view of the entrance to the building, I think it possible that you may have seen something from that point of vantage, which enabled you to put two and two together. But I wonder that I can feel any surprise at your having discovered the truth, when the truth itself is unbelievable!! May Derwent is incapable of killing any one-no matter what provocation she may have had. She is incapable of a dishonourable action, and above all things incapable of an intrigue. She is purity itself. I swear it. And yet what are the facts that con

in fact, been wondering all day whom he could have been visiting when he met his tragic fate. But, soo

ou all that I have been able to find out about the sad affair. I know that I run the risk of being misunderstood-even by you-and accused of unpardonable indiscre

t you may be better able to judge of their value. Truth, after all, is no marble goddess, unchangeable, immovable, but a very chameleon taking the colour of her surround

ere

glad after the service was over to see Mrs. Derwent turn in at our gate. She often drops in on her way from church to chat a few minutes with my mother. But I soon became convinced that the real object of her visit to-day was to see me. Why, I could not guess. The dear lady, usually so calm and dignified, positively fidgeted, and several times forgot what she was saying, and remaine

ou were a little boy, and as I am in great trouble I hav

here is nothing I would not do

speak to you about; she is

to hear it; what is

has not been hers

know of any reason

ined, "only out of sorts. Yes, I'm afraid

xclaimed, muc

pt. Naturally, I am not anxious to have her marry, at least not yet; for when my child leaves me, what is there left for me in life? Still, one cannot think of that, and if she had chosen a possible person I should

I adm

of mine had so little discrimination as even to like such a person; but she is young and romantic, and the creature is handsome, and clever in a Brummagem way. The

such a lov

ported by his mother and friends. Think of it! No, no, I could not bear her to marry that sort of man. But the child, for she is little more, took my refusal much to heart, fancied herself a martyr no doubt, and grew so pale and thin that I consulted the doctor he

ious about her now?" I inquired.

d her to do such a thing I cannot find out, and she is at present so extremely excitable that I do not dare to insist on an explanation. When she did return here on Thursday she told me at once about the murder and how she was made to look at the body and to give an account of herself. Of course, we were very much afraid that her name would get into the papers and all the facts of her escapade become known. Through some miracle, that at least has been spared me; but the shock of being brought into such close contact with a mysterious crime has

paused to w

violent and impossible,

n as she sees that she is observed, she frowns and moves away. Last night I slept very heavily, being completely worn out by all this anxiety, and was suddenly awakened by a piercing shriek. I rushed into May's room and found her sitting up in bed talking volubly, while about her all the lights were blazing. 'Take him away, take him away!' she kept repeating, and then she wailed: 'Oh, he's dead, he's dead!' I saw at once that she was asleep and tried to rouse her, but it was some time before I succeeded in doing so. I told her she had been dreaming, but she showed no curiosity as to what she might have been saying, only evincing a strong desire to be left alone. As I was leaving the room, I noticed

her to confide in me-her mother. But she assured me that she had told me everything, and that the man who had been killed was a perfect stranger to her and not Mr. Greywood. She insists that the two do not even look very much alike, as the deceased is much larger, coarser, and darker tha

'Yes,' she replied; 'I would like to see him. If we telegraph immediately, he could get here by five o'clock.' 'But why this hurry?' I asked. She flushed angrily, and kept repeating: 'I want to see him.' 'But, my child,' I remonstrated, 'I don't even know where Mr. Norman is. He certainly is not in town at this time of the year.' 'Telegraph to his town address, anyhow, and if he isn't there it doesn't matter,' she urged.-'But, May, what is the meaning of this change? The last time he came down here you wouldn't even see him. Do you now mean

re unnecessarily alarmed. If I co

e house as a visitor you could give me your professional opinion about May without her

crutches, and with a little help can get in and out of a car

me now and lu

have to be together, and I would r

ent, and gathering up the folds o

liar tension of her manner, the feverish glitter of her eyes, the slight trembling of her lips, and did not wonder at her mother's anxiety. After a little

ntly on a divan. "Lie still," I commanded, looking her steadily in the eye. "Lie still, I tell you; you are in no condition to get up. Now, listen to me, May; I know you have had a shock, and your nerves are consequently thoroughly unstrung. Now, do you wish to be seriously ill, or do you not?" My quiet tones seemed to calm her. "Of course I

ll I do?" and she put her hand to he

ce, you must go t

r. Norman will be h

m what I hear of that young man he will be as anxio

t.' Unless you at once do as I tell y

she meekly replied;

owned at my attempt at jocularity. I rang the bell and asked the butler to call Mrs. Derwent, to whom I gave full directions as to what I wanted done, and had the satisfaction of seeing May go up-stairs with her mother.

on was, what to

night. Mrs. Derwent, after some hesitation, agreed to this plan. Norman turned up, as I knew he would. He is very quiet, and does not appear surprised either at his sudden invitation or at May's illness. He also seems to think it quite natural t

-who killed him and why? If she-but I'll not believe it unless I also believe her to have had a sudden attack of ac

ng for somebody? Why did she cry out in her sleep: "Oh, he's dead, he's dead!"? Again, the only reasonable explanation seems to be that her mind has become slightly unhinged. And if

u advise me as to what I ough

must end abruptly, althoug

onately

r