Surely such words meant something!"

"If they did," said Pauline, angrily, "they merely meant that she was going to dismiss you to-day!"

"Not at all," and Anita glanced at her, "she distinctly said something would happen to her,--not to me."

"You know better than to take things she said in a temper, seriously! If we are to repeat idle conversations, suppose I say that I heard _you_ say last evening that you'd like to kill her!"

"I didn't!" shrieked Anita.

"You did," declared Pauline, calmly; "and Gray said she ought to be killed, too. I know you didn't mean to kill her, but I've just as much right to quote your foolish words as you have to quote hers."

"Nonsense!" said Haviland; "let up, Polly! You two are always at each other! As there is no question as to who killed poor Miss Lucy, why rake up our foolish words spoken under the intense provocation of her exhibition of temper,--which was specially trying last night. Inspector, can we tell you anything more of importance?"

So far the Inspector had been almost silent, and appeared to be learning some points from the conversation not addressed to him. Now, he changed his manner, and began briskly to ask questions.

"This glove," he said, holding it out, "was, as you know, found clasped in her hand. Is it yours, Mr. Haviland?"

"No," said the young man, as, after a close examination of the glove he handed it back; "no, it is a size smaller than I wear, and it is of a different make from mine."

"Have you any idea whose it can be? It is highly improbable the burglar left it."

"I've no idea," and Haviland shrugged his shoulders. "But if it was not left by the intruder, where could it possibly have come from? It is a man's glove."

"Could it be one of Cousin Carr's?" said Pauline. "Aunt Lucy was awfully fond of anything of his. She kept one of his caps in her drawer for months, after he left the last time."

"No," replied Haviland; "it isn't Loria's. He wears larger gloves than I do. My theory points to a sort of gentleman burglar, a 'Raffles,' you know, and I think he talked with Miss Lucy, before he struck that blow, and disarmed her mind of fear."

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