Mr. David, when I spoke of events opening Fritz's eyes to the truth.'

I submitted with all possible humility to the lady's triumph over me. My thoughts were with Minna. What a prospect for the innocent, affectionate girl! Assuming the statement that I had just heard to be true, there was surely a chance that Madame Fontaine (with time before her) might find the money. I put this view of the case to Frau Meyer.

6 If I didn't know Mr. Keller to be a thoroughly resolute man,' she answered, I should say she might find the money too. She has only to succeed in marrying her daughter to Fritz, and Mr. Keller would be obliged to pay the money for the sake of the family credit.

But he is one of the few

men whom she can't twist round her finger. If you ever fall in with her, take care of yourself. She may find your influence with Fritz an obstacle in her way-and she may give you reason to remember that the mystery of her husband's lost chest of poisons is not cleared up yet. It was all in the German newspapers-you know what I

mean.'

This seemed to me to be passing all bounds of moderation. And you know, madam,' I answered sharply, that there was no evidence against her-nothing whatever to associate her with the robbery of the medicine chest.'

'Not even suspicion, Mr. David?'

'Not even suspicion.'

I rose from my chair as I spoke. Minna

was still in my thoughts; I was not merely unwilling, I was almost afraid to hear more.

6

'One minute,' said Frau Meyer. Which

of the two hotels here are you staying at? I want to send you something to read tonight, after you have left us.'

I told her the name of the hotel; and we joined our friends at the other end of the room. Not long afterwards I took my leave. My spirits were depressed; a dark cloud of uncertainty seemed to hang over the future. Even the prospect of returning to Frankfort, the next day, became repellent to me. I was almost inclined to hope that my aunt might (as Mr. Keller had predicted) recall me to London.

CHAPTER XV.

FROM these reflections I was roused by the appearance of a waiter, with a letter for me. The envelope contained a slip cut from a German newspaper, and these lines of writing, signed by Frau Meyer :

'You are either a very just, or a very obstinate young man. In either case, it will do you no harm to read what I inclose. I am not such a scandal-mongering old woman as you seem to think. The concealment of the names will not puzzle you. Please return the slip. It belongs to our

excellent host, and forms part of his collection of literary curiosities.'

Such was the introduction to my reading. I translate it from the German newspaper into English as literally as I can.

The Editor's few prefatory words were at the top of the column, bearing the date of September 1828.

'We have received, in strictest confidence, extracts from letters written by a lady to a once-beloved female friend. The extracts are dated and numbered, and are literally presented in this column-excepting the obviously necessary precaution of suppressing names, places, and days of the month. Taken in connection with a certain inquiry which is just now occupying the public mind, these fragments may throw