positive information before Edith and he sailed. Indeed, I took it
that his mission was highly confidential, and about that time there
was a lot in the newspapers about rival negotiators for a big Chinese
loan, so I formed the opinion that he was sent out in connection with
something of the sort. Neither he nor Edith meant to remain long in
the Far East. At first their letters always spoke of an early return.
Then, when the years dragged on, and I asked for definite news of
their homecoming, Edith said that Arthur could not get away until the
country's political affairs were in a more settled state. Finally came
a cablegram from Edith: 'Arthur dead; sailing immediately,' and my
niece was with me within a few weeks. The supposed cause of her
husband's death was some virulent type of fever, but, as I said, Edith
was convinced that he had been poisoned."

"Why?"

"That I never understood. She never willingly talked about Shanghai,
or her life there. Indeed, she was always most anxious that no one
should know she had ever lived in China. Yet she had plenty of friends
out there. I gathered that Arthur had left her well provided for
financially, and they were a most devoted couple. Edith was the only
relative I possessed. It is very dreadful, Mr. Theydon, that she
should be taken from me in such a way."

Her hearer was almost thankful that she yielded to the inevitable rush
of emotion. It gave him time to collect his wits, which had lost their
poise when that wicked-looking little skull was, so to speak, thrust
forcibly into his recollection.

"In a word," he said, at last, "you are Mrs. Lester's next-of-kin and