A Chance Acquaintance

ing inanities as we stood by the elevator. The car was rising, and as we are only on the third floor I had a half-formed intention of walking down the stairs, when the door of the

tance. She had received a shock of some kind, and though she had herself well in hand, yet she was fairly trembling with almost uncontrollable

ckly, and see what is the matter with Uncle Rob

g face of the elevator boy, for she left unfinished whatever she had been abou

ld not resist an impulse that made me say to the docto

ven sure that the doctor heard me-but I tu

," I said to her, "and

sistance to that poor girl; for if her uncle has a se

d that Miss Pembroke was in serious trouble of some sort, and her true womanly he

feeling sure that it was a summons in resp

the elderly doctor, loo

e. I want immediate help. Mr. Pembroke is dead, Miss Pembroke has fainted,

n emergency, so of course she

ord, and this is my brother, Otis Landon. We are new-comers here, and do not know

terson, the Pembroke's family physician. I'm greatly surprised at this sudden death. I'm surpr

oss hall. On the right was the drawing-room, and here we found Miss Pembroke, who had not yet regained consciousn

asterson. "Janet is a plucky girl, and sound as

rl, and, with her intuitive womanlines

p on the floor, and was rocking herself

nded the doctor. "Don't make us any

er comment he turned away from her, and as he

ly the old gentleman's bedroom. I gazed with interest at the face of Robert Pembroke, and, save for what Doctor Masterson had told me, I should have thought I was looking at th

man!" I exclaim

sked Doctor Masterson

seen him before. I've lived

lse good to be said of him. But his sudden death puzzles me greatly. I have been his physician for many years, and I should have said that he had

as examining the body, and his

if he were as

gle or a spasm of any kind. His limbs are quietly composed, even relaxed, as if

sease?" I

. "He had gout, indigestion, rheumatism, and many ailments incidental to old age, but nothing

" I responded, feeling tha

he Doctor, in a low voice; "he was cruel, do

it on innocent

o patient Griselda. She can hol

talking as he went on

ss Pembroke's affairs were none of my business; and, too, the doctor was

all bright key; "just take it for the moment, M

as it?"

d probably been under his pillow. It looks

opportunity to speak with Miss Pembroke. Meantime I noticed that Doctor Mast

thout a cause. And every known cause shows its own sympto

ay, I hope,

rt! Mr. Pembroke died peace

tened himself up wi

r living in this

e is one on the first fl

e in at Miss Pembroke, who had recovered consciousness, and was lying quietly back on the sofa pillows, while Laura bathed her forehead with cologne. I well knew the soothing capabilities of La

ce, and then ran hurriedly down th

st?" I asked as I

hat he held. Apparently, he was just about to

or, is dead; and his physician, Doctor Masterson, is at a loss to discover

r man was flattered at being called in consultation by the older and celebra

, and he asks your help. Wi

her moment Doctor Post a

dead?" asked the

answere

es she'd come down in this elevator all to the teary, so's I 'most hadta order a consignment of weep-catchers for myse

s crudely expressing his opinion, for we had reached the third flo

olleague, and then turned aside while the

pear curious, I walked about the room, and idly noted its furnishings. Though not over-ornate, the appointments were comfortable and even luxurious. A great easy-chair stood by the window, which opened on an inner court, and which was in fact directly opposite the window of my own bedroom in our duplicate apartment. Near by stood a desk, open, and with its contents tidily arranged. The position of ink-stand, pen-racks and stationery proved the old gentleman to have been of methodical habits and orderly tastes. My lawyer's brain immediately darted to the conclusion that Robe

as I noticed the good taste displayed in the furnishing of the room. However, this migh

d so, I noticed they were stubs of theater tickets. I felt a momentary surprise at this, for I had been told that Mr. Pembroke never went out of the house. However, it was quite within the possibilities that the stubs rep

elves for a few moments? This affair is assuming a very serious side, and it

evident on the Doctor's kindly old face. "I have no wish but to b

l tell you that we have to deal with a very grave situation, but I will