VI. SIDE-LIGHTS

"Oh! she has beauty might ensnare
A conqueror's soul, and make him leave his crown
At random, to be scuffled for by slaves."

OTWAY.

THIRD floor, rear room, first door at the head of the stairs! What
was I about to encounter there?

Mounting the lower flight, and shuddering by the library wall, which
to my troubled fancy seemed written all over with horrible suggestions,
I took my way slowly up-stairs, revolving in my mind many things, among
which an admonition uttered long ago by my mother occupied a prominent
place.

"My son, remember that a woman with a secret may be a fascinating
study, but she can never be a safe, nor even satisfactory, companion."

A wise saw, no doubt, but totally inapplicable to the present
situation; yet it continued to haunt me till the sight of the door to
which I had been directed put every other thought to flight save that I
was about to meet the stricken nieces of a brutally murdered man.

Pausing only long enough on the threshold to compose myself for the
interview, I lifted my hand to knock, when a rich, clear voice rose
from within, and I heard distinctly uttered these astounding words: