Ralph Willoby stood up.

"It seems, Mr. Chairman," he said, "that the first time the man gave us
trouble was when we sent to learn something about Mrs. Douglass' death.
He secured the notes to prevent us from publishing anything about the
lady. Then he threatened to blow up the Bugle office if we did print an
obituary. This did not intimidate us, and when the paper was out he
waited for the little boys, sons of Major Dale, to harm them possibly.
It was then that one of the girls saw and recognized him, and he, being
sure of this, made off. A few minutes later he intercepted both girls on
the stairs, tried to frighten them with some drug, took the papers from
Miss Dorothy Dale, and again made his escape."

This was by far the most intelligent account of the affair yet given,
and after its recital many of the men thought they could see a solution
of the mystery.

"But how do you associate all this with Miles Burlock?" Ralph was
questioned by the chairman: "I know Mrs. Douglass had a special interest
in that man," went on Ralph. "I have known her to give him money to buy
respectable clothes with, and,--well there is no need to make public our
brother's misfortunes. At any rate, it seems plain to me that this
stranger was trying to keep the news of Mrs. Douglass' death away from
Burlock."

"Has any one seen Burlock lately?" was next asked.

No one had; in fact his absence had been noticed by many present. He was
not a common drunkard, and that was probably why such an interest was