"Did this wine-cellar you mention run all the way to this house ?" I lightly inquired.

"I stumbled on a passage leading here, which I thought you ought to know is now open to any one in Mayor Packard's house.

Of course, it will be closed soon," I hastened to add as Miss Charity hurriedly rose at her sister's quick look and anxiously left the room.

"Mrs.Packard will see to that." "Yes, yes, I have no doubt; she's a very good woman, a very fair woman, don't you think so, Miss--" "My name is Saunders." "A very good name.

I knew a fine family of that name when I was younger.
There was one of them--his name was Robert--" Here she rambled on for several minutes as if this topic and no other filled her whole mind; then, as if suddenly brought back to what started it, she uttered in sudden anxiety, "You think well of Mrs.Packard?
You have confidence in her ?" I allowed myself to speak with all the enthusiasm she so greedily desired.
"Indeed I have," I cried.