SKIRMISHING On the following morning the gentlemen at Fair Oaks were astir at an unusually early hour, and immediately after breakfast held a brief conference.

It was decided to offer a heavy reward for the apprehension of the murderer of Hugh Mainwaring, while a lesser reward was to be offered for information leading to identification and arrest of the guilty party.

Preparations were also to be made for the funeral, which would take place the next day, and which, in accordance with the wishes of Ralph Mainwaring, was to be strictly private.
Their conference at an end, Ralph Mainwaring ordered the carriage to take himself, Mr.Whitney, and the secretary to the depot.
"I believe I will ride down with you," said Mr.Merrick.
"Certainly; plenty of room.

Going to the city ?" "Yes; but not with you gentlemen.

We will part company at the depot and I will take another car." "How are you getting on, Mr.Merrick ?" inquired Mr.Thorton.
"As well as can be expected, all things considered," was the non-committal reply.
"Going to be a slow case, I'm afraid," commented Ralph Mainwaring, shaking his head in a doubtful way, while Mr.Thornton added jokingly,-- "We've got some mighty fine fellows over home there at the Yard; if you should want any help, Mr.Merrick, I'll cable for one of them." "Thank you, sir," said the detective, with quiet dignity; "I don't anticipate that I shall want any assistance; and if I should, I will hardly need import it from Scotland Yard." "Ha, ha! That all depends, you know, on what your man is.