strong to admitting it in any other collection. Between two or
more stools, it would be a pity to let it fall to the ground; so
let it be forgiven, and please us with whatever gift it has.

In many cases where copyrights were still unexpired, we have to
express our acknowledgments to writers and publishers who have
accorded us the courtesy of their leave to reproduce what their
genius or enterprise has created and put forth. To our readers we
take pleasure in presenting what we know cannot fail to give them
pleasure--a collection of the fruits of the finest literary
ingenuity and nicest art accessible to the human mind. Gaudeat,
non caveat emptor!

JULIAN HAWTHORNE.



American Mystery Stories


F. Marion Crawford

By the Waters of Paradise


I


I remember my childhood very distinctly. I do not think that the
fact argues a good memory, for I have never been clever at learning