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case,” declared Doctor Leonard testily. “The paper is there, and is authentic. No sane man could doubt that it is a suicide after that.”
    â€œBut, Doctor Leonard, it would seem impossible for a woman to stab herself at that angle, and with such an astonishing degree of force; also to pull the dagger from the wound, cast it on the floor, and then to place her arm in that particular position on the table.”
    â€œWhy do you say in that particular position?”
    â€œBecause the position of her right arm is as if thrown there carelessly, and not as if flung there in a death agony.”
    â€œYou are imaginative, Doctor Hills. The facts may not seem possible, but since they are the facts you must admit that they are possible.”
    â€œVery well, Doctor Leonard, I accept your decision, and I relinquish all professional responsibility in the matter.”
    â€œYou may do so. There is no occasion for mystery or question. It is a sad affair, indeed, but no crime is indicated beyond that of self-destruction. The written confession hints at the motive for the deed, but that is outside my jurisdiction. Who is the man in the hall? I fancied him a detective.”
    â€œHe is; that is, he is a man from headquarters who is here to watch over the bridal gifts. He came down-stairs thinking we might require his services in another way.”
    â€œSend him back to his post. There is no work for detectives, just because a young girl chose to end her unhappy life.”
    Doctor Hills opened the library door and directed Hunt to return to his place in the present room.
    Doctor Leonard, still with his harsh and disagreeable manner, advised Willard and Carleton to go to their homes, saying he and Doctor Hills would remain in charge of the library for the rest of the night.
    Doctor Hills found the women in the drawing-room, awaiting such message as Doctor Leonard might have for them. Doctor Hills told them all that Doctor Leonard had said, and advised them to retire, as the next day would be indeed a difficult and sorrowful one.

V
    A CASE FOR THE CORONER
    IT WAS CHARACTERISTIC OF Miss Morton that she went straight to her own room and shut the door. Mrs. Markham, on the other hand, went to the room occupied by Kitty French. Molly Gardner was there, too, and the two girls, robed in kimonas, were sitting, white-faced and tearful-eyed, waiting for some further news from the room whence they had been banished.
    Mrs. Markham told them what Doctor Leonard had said, but Kitty French broke out impetuously, “Madeleine never killed herself, never! I know she always said that about the dagger, but she never really meant it, and any way she never would have done it the night before her wedding. I tell you she didn’t do it! It was some horrid burglar who came in to steal her presents, who killed her.”
    â€œI would almost rather it had been so, Kitty dear,” said Mrs. Markham, gently stroking the brow of the excited girl; “but it could not have been, for we have very strong locks and bolts against burglars, and Harris is very careful in his precautions for our safety.”
    â€œI don’t care! Maddy never killed herself. She wouldn’t do it, I know her too well. Oh, dear! now there won’t be any wedding at all! Isn’t it dreadful to think of that decorated room, and the bower we planned for the bride!”
    At these thoughts Kitty’s tears began to flow afresh, and Molly, who was already limp from weeping, joined her.
    â€œThere, there,” said Mrs. Markham, gently patting Molly’s shoulder. “Don’t cry so, dearie. It can’t do any good, and you’ll just make yourself ill.”
    â€œBut I don’t understand,” said Molly, as she mopped her eyes with her wet ball of a handkerchief; “ why did she kill herself?”
    â€œI don’t know,” said Mrs. Markham, but her expression seemed to betoken a sad suspicion.
    â€œShe didn’t