Of course he was not aware of the part he was actually to play. He was instructed as to the nature of the case, given such points as we thought he would make best use of, and told in full just what risk he might run.
But our dummy was no coward. He inspected my wounded arm, expressed himself more than ready to take any risk, promised to keep within the bounds of safety after nightfall, and panted to be in the field.
Just one day before our departure for Trafton I received a letter from Mrs. Ballou. Enclosed with it was my lost note of warning. Its contents puzzled me not a little. It ran thus:
Dear Sir—I return you the letter I took from your pocket the morning you left us. You did not suspect me of burglary, did you? Of course you guessed the truth when you came to miss it. I thought it might help me to a clue, but was wrong. I can not use it.
If anything new or strange occurs, it may be to your interest to inform me first of all.
The time may come when you can doubly repay the service I rendered you not long since. If so, remember me. I think I shall come to the city soon.
Respectfully, etc., M. A. Ballou
P. S.—Please destroy.
From some women such a letter might have meant simply nothing. From Mrs. Ballou it was fraught with meaning.