just as it slowly opened, and the officer who had been sent off so
mysteriously by the coroner an hour before entered, in company with a
young man, whose sleek appearance, intelligent eye, and general air of
trustworthiness, seemed to proclaim him to be, what in fact he was, the
confidential clerk of a responsible mercantile house.

Advancing without apparent embarrassment, though each and every eye
in the room was fixed upon him with lively curiosity, he made a slight
bow to the coroner.

"You have sent for a man from Bohn & Co.," he said.

Strong and immediate excitement. Bohn & Co. was the well-known
pistol and ammunition store of ---- Broadway.

"Yes, sir," returned the coroner. "We have here a bullet, which we
must ask you to examine, You are fully acquainted with all matters
connected with your business?"

The young man, merely elevating an expressive eyebrow, took the
bullet carelessly in his hand.

"Can you tell us from what make of pistol that was delivered?"

The young man rolled it slowly round between his thumb and
forefinger, and then laid it down. "It is a No. 32 ball, usually sold
with the small pistol made by Smith & Wesson."

"A small pistol!" exclaimed the butler, jumping up from his seat.
"Master used to keep a little pistol in his stand drawer. I have often