the widow. Even Mr. Engelman's placid

temper had, no doubt, resented Mr. Keller's conduct at the meeting in the hall.

The service I ask of you,' he resumed, 'will be easily rendered. The proprietor of a commercial establishment at Hanau is desirous of entering into business-relations with us, and has sent references to respectable persons in the town and neighbourhood, which it is necessary to verify. We are so busy in the office that it is impossible for me to leave Frankfort myself, or to employ our clerks on this errand. I have drawn out the necessary instructions-and Hanau, as you are aware, is within an easy distance of Frankfort. Have you any objection to be the representative of the house in this matter?

It is needless to say that I was gratified by the confidence that had been placed in me, and eager to show that I really deserved it. We arranged that I should leave Frankfort by the earliest conveyance the next morning.

On our way upstairs to our bed-chambers, Mr. Keller detained me for a moment

more.

'I have no claim to control you in the choice of your friends,' he said; but I am old enough to give you a word of advice. Don't associate yourself too readily, David, with the woman whom I found here tonight.'

He shook hands cordially, and left me. I thought of Madame Fontaine's letter in my

pocket, and felt a strong conviction that he would persist in his refusal to read it.

The servants were the only persons stirring in the house, when I rose the next morning. Unobserved by anyone, I placed the letter on the desk in Mr. Keller's private That done, I started on my journey

room.

to Hanau.

CHAPTER XIV.

THANKS to the instructions confided to me, my errand presented no difficulties. There were certain persons to whom I was introduced, and certain information to be derived from them, which it was my duty to submit to Mr. Keller on my return. Fidelity was required of me, and discretion was required. of me-and that was all.

At the close of my day's work, the hospitable merchant, whose references I had been engaged in verifying, refused to permit me to return to the hotel. His dinner-hour had been put off expressly to suit my con

venience.

You will only meet the members of my family,' he said, and a cousin of my wife's who is here with her daughter, on a visit to us-Frau Meyer, of Würzburg.'

I accepted the invitation, feeling privately an Englishman's reluctance to confronting an assembly of strangers, and anticipating nothing remarkable in reference to Frau Meyer, although she did come from Würzburg. Even when I was presented to the ladies in due form, as the honoured representative of Mr. Keller, of Frankfort,' I was too stupid, or too much absorbed in the business. on which I had been engaged, to be much struck by the sudden interest with which Frau Meyer regarded me. She was a fat florid old lady, who looked coarsely clever