A Chance Acquaintance

said the Co

s La

e in thi

ss the hall, on this same floor. I

s," said Mr. Ross, "exactly w

the hour-just about eight o'clock-that it was probably the hall boy with the mail, I opened the door myself, and took the letters from him. As I stood a moment, carelessly running over t

ector Crawford

chain was o

s half an hour later I started for my office. As I was waiting for the elevator to come up, my sister stood with me, chatting. When the elevator did arrive I saw a gentleman in it, who, I have since learned, is Doctor Masterson. As the car reached our floor Miss Pembroke rushed from her own apartment to meet

le bearing on the circumstances of the old man's death. On the other hand, what I had said seemed to give satisfaction to the Coroner. He nodded his head

to weigh in his mind the evidence I

arched Mr. Pembroke's bedroom for

know what belongs there and what does not. However I picked up a few articles, which, thou

r band still around it. The slight crumpling of the paper, seemed

the household can throw light on the matter, I shall conclude that a sum of money was stolen from M

l and logical, and I waited wi

t addressed M

concerning this money?

itude of chaperon and protector to the young girl. And it was doubtless due to my sister's sympathy and support, that Miss Pembroke was preserving a calm d

t had a large sum of money i

did he

oy, brought it to hi

usand dollars, as this mem

think i

iltily embarrassed. To me, the idea of theft in connection with Janet Pembroke was absurd, but I could r

bit of keeping such large s

was most

d it happen in

led, rather than frightened, as she had appeared before, "I think he

w the name

,-no,-I

his statement. It was made with t

u do not know the name of the man fo

is business matters. But he often spoke in loud tones, and quite unintentionally I overheard a few words between him

s money?" Mr. Ross then said, addres

in silence. He seemed absorbed in deep thought and

g at all of these matters. I saw my uncle for a few moments yesterday afternoo

e in his own room?" I

ough coldly polite, seemed to resent my interfe

n when you were t

it is usually open. Indeed, I t

e roll of bills in it?"

t if I had. If my uncle chose to be care

ay have put it away more safely. Search must be made for it, but at present we wil

eplied, feeling a little fooli

mured, as he glanced at it; "Miss Pembroke, i

id; "no, it couldn't have been his. Uncle Robert neve

t you

at road for a long time, and ha

"Do you know anything about this?" he

r trabbels myself, and Marse Pembroke, he nebber trabbled outside de do'. And

me-table must have been left in the room by some o

s not seem to me important. Leroy may hav

into insignificance, and the Coroner tosse

arent unimportance of my clue

; "I noticed it only because it bears ini

ed the corner of the handkerchief. "Do yo

mere blank amazement; "I know of no one with

o view the large square of linen; "And i

Miss Pembroke, as she rose from her sea

rchief had roused her curiosity. She turned to Charlotte with i

's sure! It ain't Marse Pembroke's, nor it aint's Maste

," went on Miss Pembroke, musingly; "I c

ief to the Coroner, and re

e's room, was a man of refined tastes,-but we must defer definite assumption of tha

ded him the two stub

ur uncle never went to the theat

he answere

times go

thing of those tickets. I have ne

ely reputable, was of the Music Hall class, and it pleased me t

they knew nothing of these mysterious bits of pasteboard. The only inference was, then, th

ed to the Coroner the torn telegram I had found in the waste basket. It had been

st Lynnwood, New Jersey. H'm, that links it to the Lackawan

f that?" asked

s; "but it's my impression that East

the time-table was only for stations on the main line, not to branches. I determined to look it up f

may be?" the Coroner

aking truthfully. The very vehemence with which she spoke seemed to me to bet

idding him expect a caller last evening,

nformed me of his business appointments or arrangements. But

to think he had said something exceedingly clever, but Coroner Ross paid no heed to him. Indeed the

nite importance, I was excused, and my

from her something concerning the unpleasant relations between Mr. Pembroke and his niece, but though Laura had expressed herself often and frankly to me on the subject, she would say nothing

ed, and next Charlotte, the

uacious, and Mr. Ross was obliged to command her to answer his question

hour did

seben

en prepare

n 'n' eggs, an

sisted of. Did you see any on

when I went to tak

ng the

' a yank, but dat ol' chain held it. I 'clar

n with this h

couldn't stan' de way Mr. Pembroke called me names, sah. Miss Janet