With Links of Steel, Or, The Peril of the Unknown

marked to Chick, stirred with a flood of

rl found dead i

o, by what mysterious means? What had been

l selected that sequestered seat in the park, and there deliberately committed suicide

y had he deserted her? What signified the pin-punctured wrapping

lue? Had the girl been robbed of them, and

t to leave the girl that fateful afternoon? Was he respons

left the girl alive and well, and

the robbery committed at Venner's store? Was there, between the two crimes, some extraordi

n order to consider them before taking any decided action in the matter, Nick had kept to himse

discussing the conflicting circumstances, a message was received from police headquarters, inf

et something to work upon. I will go and qu

eans," no

n between this girl's death and that robbery at Venner's store. I believe that we have s

Kilgor

act

th a grimace. "I am beastly tired of

augh of his invariab

Chick. "I'd welcome any sort of stir and danger,

y word for it, as soon as we once more g

eed it," grinned Chick.

d then murdered, and the fact that Harry Boyden is the clerk who brought the stolen diamonds to Venne

roached the residence of the famous detective, and a servant presently

nced at

"I know no lady named Violet

ng,

ou adm

n the lib

er presently. Request he

ry. As he entered the attractively furnished room his visitor quic

and though her sweet face, then very pale and distressed, struck

arter?" she hurriedly, inquired

one so timid and distressed as this g

"What can I do for you? Y

e to you in despair, a girl without friends or advisers, and who knows not whither to turn. I have been

etic flood of words w

way. "Resume your chair, please. Though I am somewhat press

ank you

order that we may ac

ill,

fer? What is the occasion

d her agitation an

this afternoon. Nor is that all, Detective Carter. A very dear friend of mine, named Harry Boyde

mmediate incre

not then exhibit any knowledge of the case, he proceeded to question her with his own ends in

ive, Miss Page?

ing relatives, and for about two years have employe

rl ment

The fact that we both are orphans cr

son of much me

ember of the big vaudeville troupe, which lately disba

ght I had seen you before. I happened to hea

tered," observed Chick, who

back to

Page, that Boyden cannot have

y incapable of committing such a crime," cried Violet, with much feeling.

u sure

olut

ur relations

ge of red dispelling the paleness of her pretty c

oughtfully. "How long have you

n years

to form quite a reliable

ve Carter, I know that Harry Boyden is far above any

ictured in her ever changing expression. Nick was inclined to feel that her opinion of Boyden was worthy of ver

aged to Boyden generally know

We have said no

ny person who knows of the engagement, or who suspects it, that w

Violet, with a look of horror. "I

ing the attentions of

d Violet. "That

so, yet I really might ha

r-don't think I mean that. In my profession one is obliged to be on friendly terms with a great many persons, both men

orced upon you, I imagine?" said Nick, inquiringly

imes," Violet de

ick saw that he had caught up the thre

ssively, "I now want you to answer

owed Violet, wit

pany, or one connected with the theater

ir; no

or admitted t

iged to repel the affection of a certain man. Yet, please don't infer, sir, that he has ever been ungentlemanly. He

s name?" demanded

nd Chick alread

his name, sir?"

confidentiall

sir, is Ruf

quickly, "Was there any member of the vaudev

o, sir. At least

at Chick and

the surfa

oubt of

ed and alarmed at thi

hing of which I am ignorant? Or

o her and gra

g wrong-far from it! But there is co

what do

ble to tell you," said Nick, rising. "I ha

rom a drawer the silver jewel casket w

s extended hand, and the eyes o

d to her feet, as p

e terror, rose from her lips and rang wi

elled Nick, with eyes ablaze. "By He