"Avenged!" muttered Shadow, as he glided away from the spot a few minutes later. "Tom, I have kept my oath! Darling Tom, the same fate that was meted out to you, I have meted out to your murderer!"

Just as the clock struck eleven, and I was preparing for bed, a note was brought to me.

"Waiting for you. Important!

Shadow."


[CHAPTER XXVI.]

CORNERED CRIMINALS.

"Are you ready for some sharp work?"

So I was greeted when I, as is almost needless to say, hurried down-stairs in response to Shadow's note.

"Oh, you can talk, can you?" I said. "Yes, I am ready for some sharp work. What have you on hand?" as I glanced at him from head to foot.

The skirts were gone.