Printed in the United States of America

TO

MARIE LOUGHBOROUGH CHAMBERLAIN

A kind tender heart, and a true loving friend

Are God’s best gifts—from beginning to end.

CONTENTS

I[THE TEMPTATION]
II[THE SCENTED HANDKERCHIEF]
III[A QUESTION OF COLOR]
IV[RUFFLES]
V[THE INQUEST]
VI[TESTIMONY]
VII[SUSPICION]
VIII[THE PLEDGE]
IX[TWO PIECES OF STRING]
X[THE SOLITARY INITIAL]
XI[THE HAND ON THE COUNTERPANE]
XII[MURDER]
XIII[PRELIMINARY SKIRMISHING]
XIV[THE DUPLICATE KEY]
XV[AT THE FORK OF THE ROAD]
XVI[A CRY IN THE NIGHT]
XVII[UNDER LOCK AND KEY]
XVIII[THE POLICE WARRANT]
XIX[OUT OF THE MAZE]