First, that this gentleman qualified though he was to shine in ladies' society, never obtruded himself there, but employed his leisure time instead, in walking the lower streets of the city, where he was seen more than once conversing with certain poor girls at street corners and in blind alleys.

The last one he talked with, believed from her characteristics to be the same one that was abducted from his house--" "Hold there," said Mr.Blake with some authority in his tone, "there you are mistaken; that is impossible." "Ah, and why ?" "The girl you allude to had bright golden hair, something which the woman who lived in my house did not possess." "Indeed.

I thought you had never noticed the woman who sewed for you, sir,--did not know how she looked ?" "I should have noticed her if she had had such hair as the girl you speak of." Mr.Gryce smiled and opened his pocketbook.
"There is a sample of her hair, sir," said he, taking out a thin strand of brilliant hair and showing it to the gentleman before him.

"Bright you see, and golden as that of the unfortunate creature you talked with the other night." Mr.Blake stooped forward and lifted it with a hand that visibly trembled.

"Where did you get this ?" asked he at last, clenching it to his breast with sudden passion.
"From out of the comb which the girl had been using the night before." The imperious man flung it hastily from him.
"We waste our time," said he, looking Mr.Gryce intently in the face.
"All that you have said does not account for your presence here nor the tone you have used while addressing me.