"To the wildest and most uncivilized parts?"
Edmond Stolliker smiled. It warmed and genialized his face wonderfully.
"Fortunately, I speak several patois of Spanish," he returned, by way of reply.
"Then you are willing to undertake it?"
"Quite."
"Then I will tell you the story, though the details are meager enough—merely bald facts, I am afraid. My fiancé, Mr. Olney Winthrop, was summoned to Mexico concerning some mines in which he was interested. He went, accompanied by a friend of his, Mr. Leith Pierrepont. At first his letters to me were filled with courage and hope; then suddenly they ceased. Five or six weeks later—yesterday, in fact—Mr. Pierrepont returned and announced his death."
"From what?"
"Shot through the heart."
"Ah! Under what circumstances?"
"I don't know. I fainted when Mr. Pierrepont told me, and on my recovery he had gone. The few facts I have learned were through Miss Chalmers, daughter of my guardian."