"I am quite ready to render you any service, if you will only command me." "Ah! But I fear what I require will strike you as so unusual--you will hesitate to act when I explain what service I require of you," she said doubtfully.
"I cannot tell you until I hear your wishes," I said, smiling, and yet puzzled at her attitude.
"It concerns the terrible discovery made up in Rannoch Wood," she said in a hoarse, nervous voice at last.

"That unknown man was murdered--stabbed to the heart." "Well ?" "Well," she said, scarcely above a whisper, "I have suspicions." "Of the murdered man's identity ?" "No.

Of the assassin." I glanced at her sharply and saw the intense look in her dark, wide-open eyes.
"You believe you know who dealt the blow ?" "I have a suspicion--that is all.

Only I want you to help me, if you will." "Most certainly," I responded.

"But if you believe you know the assassin you probably know something of the victim ?" "Only that he looked like a foreigner." "Then you have seen him ?" I exclaimed, much surprised.
My remark caused her to hold her breath for an instant.