CHAPTER XLVI.
THE LETTERS.
There were four of them--two in Arthur's handwriting: one directed to Mrs.Arthur Tracy, Wiesbaden, postmarked Liverpool; one to Margaret Heinrich, Wiesbaden, postmarked Shannondale; one in a strange handwriting to Arthur Tracy, if living; and one to Arthur Tracy's friends if he were dead, or incapable of understanding it.

And it was this last which Marian read; for as Arthur was living, she felt that with his letters strangers had nothing to do.

The letter to the friends, which had evidently been written at intervals, as the writer's strength would permit, was as follows: 'WIESBADEN, December -- --, 18--, 'To the friends of Mr.Arthur Tracy, if he is dead, or incapable of understanding this letter, from his wife, who was Marguerite Heinrich, and whom he always called Gretchen.
'I want to tell you about it for the sake of my little Jerrie, whom, if her father is dead, I give to your care, praying God to deal with you as you are good and just to her.

I was seventeen when I first saw Mr.Tracy.My father was dead.

I was an only child, and my mother kept a little fancy shop in Wiesbaden.