“Well, at last I'm free,” said McCarthy, as we read the item. “How do you suppose I learned about the theft of the stock-books of the Erie Company?”
“I've no idea.”
“It was through that somebody who has been sending me anonymous letters. For a day or two the books were in the rooms of Miss Manning.”
The gentleman left me to return to his work while I went to Philadelphia on a special mission. A week later I finished my task and returned to Albany, arriving there about eight o'clock in the evening. To my great surprise, I found McCarthy at our house. My sister was in her best gown, and never looked lovelier. She ran to meet me, and put her arms around my neck and gave me a hearty greeting.
“You shall not move another step until you have congratulated me,” she said.
“On what—your looks? They were never better or happier,” I answered.
“But I'm happier than I look,” she went on, “for I am to be the wife of the noblest gentleman in the land.”
“It must be McCarthy,” I said, as I turned to him.
“It is and it isn't,” said he. “But I'm glad to confirm the report that she's consented to marry me.”
“I congratulate you both,” was my answer, and we were all so happy then that we just sat down and looked at one another and laughed until there were tears in our eyes.