"We are fortunate in hitting her trail at this critical moment." He had already glanced at the mutilated photograph lying before him, but now he took it up.
"Very little here," he remarked as he examined first the face of it and then the back.

"But if you will let me take it, I may find that its place is in our incompleted chain." "Take it, and if you would like to have a talk with the woman herself----" "Yes, Chief; I would like that above all things." "Very good.

I'm expecting her here any minute, but--Well, what now?
What's up ?" An officer had entered hurriedly after one quick knock.
"Mrs.Davis' lodger is gone," said he.

"Left without a word to anybody.
When they went to her room they found it empty, with a five-dollar bill pinned to the riddled cushion.

As nobody saw her go, we are as much at sea as ever." A smile, both curious and fine, crossed Mr.Gryce's lips as he listened to this, and turning earnestly to the Chief, he begged for the job of looking her up.
"I think with the little start we now have that I can find her," said he.
"At all events, I should like to try." "And let the other matter rest quiescent meanwhile ?" "If it will." "What do you mean by that ?" "I hardly know myself, Chief.