if so, whether the doctor could give me any information about
her. But it's very possible that Meyrick fell in with her at
New York, or Mexico, or San Francisco; I have no idea as to the
extent or direction of his travels."

"Yes, and it's very possible that the woman may have
more than one name."

"Exactly. I wish I had thought of asking you to lend
me the portrait of her which you possess. I might have enclosed
it in my letter to Dr. Matthews."

"So you might; that never occurred to me. We might
send it now. Hark! what are those boys calling?"

While the two men had been talking together a confused
noise of shouting had been gradually growing louder. The noise
rose from the eastward and swelled down Piccadilly, drawing
nearer and nearer, a very torrent of sound; surging up streets
usually quiet, and making every window a frame for a face,
curious or excited. The cries and voices came echoing up the
silent street where Villiers lived, growing more distinct as
they advanced, and, as Villiers spoke, an answer rang up from
the pavement:

"The West End Horrors; Another Awful Suicide; Full
Details!"

Austin rushed down the stairs and bought a paper and
read out the paragraph to Villiers as the uproar in the street