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look me in the eyes. His own were brown, but cold as the coldest blue. “I don’t see the point in stirring up any more trouble. And we don’t want to frighten people with tales of murdered young women, I don’t think. What would you prove? For God’s sake, man, even if there is a woman in the box, if no one’s reported her missing, she can hardly be of consequence. Perhaps she’s a beggar-girl, or a gypsy they found dead by the side of the road.”
    “Or perhaps she is not from our county,” I said. “Or it may be that her death was kept concealed. I cannot say. But this much I will tell you, Mr. Gowen: A girl is dead, and murdered as ugly as the sins of ancient Rome. Before her, a brigadier general of the United States Volunteers was assassinated. That is two murders. And you are the district attorney, I believe. Now, I would think that you might take an interest.”
    “Some things take time. I’ve hardly taken office.”
    “Time will not help us solve these murders, see.”
    “If murders they are.”
    “General Stone was stabbed in the heart, I am told. Where he had stopped along the high road to Minersville. And the girl was stabbed until her body was pulped like a rotten apple. I think we may conclude that such is murder.”
    “And you suggest they’re related? These murders? I don’t necessarily see it.”
    “The man reported to have killed the general was said by every soul in Heckschersville and Thomaston to have died of cholera. But this is not the cholera season, and no other case was reported. And in the fellow’s supposed grave I found a murderedgirl. Now, Mr. Gowen, I cannot say how these matters are related, but a reasonable man might think them tied together.”
    “In the pursuit of justice, nothing may be assumed.”
    “In the pursuit of justice,” I responded, “much must be assumed. And I assume that I will have the cooperation of the authorities of this county.” I had my letter back in my hand and I gave it the slightest of waves.
    He stared at me hard for a moment. Hard as coal deep in the earth. “You realize, Jones, that I’m the man who passed your name on last year, when a good fellow was wanted. I saw to it that your name went all the way to George McClellan. I got you started in this business. Now you’re a major. We’re members of the same social class now, you know. We have shared interests.”
    “I am not certain that I owe you thanks, Mr. Gowen. For happier I was working at my sums in the War Department. And I believe you would be happier if I were still there, too. That is what I think, begging your pardon. But we have both come some distance over the months. And now we have a task we must face together. To keep the peace while our country is at war.”
    Yes, he had passed along my name. As a fellow who knew his place and would do as ordered. Young Mr. Gowen had known a part of me, see, from our slight Pottsville acquaintance. But he was a man who drew conclusions quickly. In the end twas that would tumble him from his throne.
    “And . . . you want me to provide you with political backing while you dig up that grave?”
    “No, Mr. Gowen. I want you simply to enforce the law. You know as well as I do myself that, if soldiers are sent to dig her up now, there will be riot and bloodshed. It must be done by the hands of the local authorities. By men the miners may trust to some degree. By the power of civil law and hands they know. With mine the only uniform in evidence.”
    He snorted. “They might decide to hang you, anyway. As the district attorney, I could not guarantee your safety.” He smiled at a small, private amusement. “And I don’t think our noble sheriff would be much help.”
    “Then I will take my chances. But the grave must be opened proper. Perhaps you could approach the Catholics to have the local priest see that order is kept. The Irish will listen to such.”
    “I’m not sure they even listened to Bishop Wood when he was here.”
    “Well, I