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stared them 1 the face. 1t was said that the assets were were enormous. accountants— Rogers, Millbank, —were appointed liquidators, and a few days later Mr. Rogers requested me to call upon him. Hec was a stern, hard-faced, practical man who scemed to ooze figures at every

pore, and who had not one single atom of

poctry or scentiment o his nature. He viewed the world, hife, and all its associations through an atmosphere of arithmetic.

He mformed me that enormous sums had been taken out of the business, and never accounted for, by some person unknown ; that bogus bonds to a vast amount had been put upon the market, and, what was still more serious, that the register of the bond- holders had been stolen, so as to render it difficult, 1f not mpossible, to detect the bogus bonds from the real ones. It was my task to trace the missing register and to find the thief. There was no suspicion, and no clue. The whole affair scemed an inexplicable mystery.

Having jotted down a few notes, and got all the details from him T could, T took mv departure and began to plan out a course of action.

IFFrom the high opmion i which Alr. Tre- lawney was held T fele that I could not do better than scck an interview with him at the outsct, and I therefore lost no time i going down to the “ Dingle.” The time of year was about the middle of October—chll October. A cold wind was moaning ov.r the land, which was sere and brown ; and the deep tints of decay dyed the foliage of the

trees. Although the (()mm“ winter was thus making itself felt, the “ Dingle” looked

picturesque and - beautiful. — The - grounds were well wooded, and full of many surprises. There were rockerics, arbours, bowers, and green retreats, where gurgled tiny fountains : and through onc portion of the estate flowed

a strecam ol deep water, which ultimatel formed a miniature lake, on the banks of

which was a boat-house. where in profusion, but they were drooping now to their winter death. T noted that weeds had been allowed to spring up i the paths, as if the master spirit of the place had ceased to mterest himself it As T made my way up through the wooded grounds and crossed a leaf-strewn lawn 1 front of the house, I beheld an old, bowed, grey-headed man, drebscnl in a long coat and wideawal:

hat. He was pacing to and fro on the grav- | path by the main entrance to the house. Fis

[Ferns grew every-

7HE STRAND

practically nil; while the habilities The great London firm of and IFarmer

T exclaimed,

MAGALINL,

hands were clasped behind his back, and scemingly he was so absorbed that he did not notice me until I was close to him. Then he turned suddenly, and confronted me with an mquiring gaze. His face was pale and hageard, and bore evident traces of mental

anguish,

“Mr. “Trelawney, T presume 27 I sad, as 1 raised my hat,

“Alas ! oyes, Tam Trelawney,” he answered

with a sigh. “Once the head of a great and wealthy commereial house ; now a ruined, despairing; and broken man. But you arc a stranger to me. Permit me to ask your name and busimess ??

“ My name 1s Donovan. My business has reference to a panful matter in which T hope for your assistance.”

T oam at your serviee,” he mournfully. “ Pray, (()mmand me. s go mto the house. heie,”

[Te Ted the way through the great hall to the Bibhrary. A (h‘umm“ room, which 1l 1 may use the expression—was redolent of Lterature. There were books from floor to cetling + where books would not go were pretures, all perfect works of art ; and where pretures could not be squeczed 1 there were clegant trifles, such as a man of refined taste

answered, Dut let It 1s cold and (h‘cury

loves to gather about him. The window commanded a view over a range of flower-

beds to the stream beyond, which had for a hackground a dark wood, that was sombre with pmes and cedars. Mr. Trelawney motioned me to an casy chair of the most ample proportions; dclhightfully cushioned ; and, as 1 scated myself] lu, did the same m a similar chair beside the fire.

“ I am here on bhehalf of the liquidators,” [ hegan, as he leaned back, folded his hands, and waited for me to .spolL.

“Yes, 7 was the only answer he made ; and it was uttered moa sort of dreamy as (ough his thoughts were not with what he .

“You arcaware,” I proceeded, as T watched his face, which scemed to be absolutely ex- pressionless at that moment—“ you are aware that & very important book is missing ?”

“Yes,” he answered, agaim m the dreamy way. 1 huud it throu:h Millbank, and Farmer.

“ DBut do you mean to say, Mr. Trelawney, “that you did not know the register was missing until the liquidators made 1t known? 7 |

He started into hife at this. He sat up, with his long white hands nervously clutching

same Rowers,