The Amethyst Box

to ourselves as we had supposed, but was

who was called upon to meet and sustain this

ed, if you have any curiosity on the subject, I

e stairs, hesitated, then d

he last few hours; a change which baffles the physicians and raises in their minds very unfortunate conjectures. What I want to know is whether Mr. Sinclair still has i

employing it. In Sinclair's interests, if not in my own, I resolved to be as true to our host as our position

toy, Mrs. Armstrong came into the room and proposed a stroll, which drew all of the ladies from the room and called for his attendance as well. With no

deepened, and he sat down in the great armc

ng I do not know what unfortunate consequence

" I re

lainable, took place in this house last night. It has only just come to light; otherwise, the doctors' conclusions might have been diff

had no breat

his door and listened. The steps went by his door. Satisfied that it was a woman he heard, he pulled open the door again and looked out. A young girl was standing not very far from him in a thin streak of moonlight. She was gazing intently at something in her hand, and that something had a purple gleam to it. He is ready to swear to this. Next moment, f

tary. To hear her name for the second time i

edly inquired as he looked at me in some s

ve never known a worse business," this amiable man bemoaned. "Let me send for Sinclair; he is more interested than any one else in G

r clearing Dorothy on the spot, and answered

Camerden. I am sure that explanations will be given. Give the lady a chance," I stammered. "Imagine what her feelings would be if questioned on s

come down t

rally

ng this fresh complication as long as possible. Do you think I can look for Miss Camerden to explain herself befo

can not bring it about to your satisfaction, Sinclair shall be asked to lend his assistance. Only keep the gossips from Miss

by this time that there is some doubt felt as to the cause of Mrs. Lansing's death. Yo

esent and made my way at once to the dining-room. Should I find Miss Lane there? Yes, and wha

. It had been humming with talk when I first entered; but now not a voice was raised, and scarcely

me? Possibly; and in a way, it would seem, t

Miss Lane. She was staring in imitation of the others straight into her plate, but as I saluted her with a quiet good morning, she looked up and acknowledged my co

y?" I asked. "I do

esistible na?veté entirely in keeping with her fairy-like figure and girlish face, she added:

of learning what I wished to know. "Does Miss Murray still cheri

k to her room. They say she is sobbing out her terror and disappointment in some

hink so, for though the talk was presently resumed, she remained silent, not even giving the least sign of wishing to prolong this particular topic. I finis

h an appearance of suddenly wishing to go somewhere. This certainly was very singular, especially as these marks of disapproval did not seem to be directed so much at myself as at some one behind me. Who could this some one be? Turning quickly, I cast a glance up the staircase before