The letter, of which a portion remains, _was_ written to Carmel, and she sent me a reply which was handed me on the station platform by a man who was a perfect stranger to me.

I have hardly any memory of how the man looked, but it should be an easy task to find him and if you cannot do that, the smallest scrap of the note he gave me, and which unfortunately I tore up and scattered to the winds, would prove my veracity in this one particular and so make it easier for them to believe the rest." His eye lightened.

I presume the prospect of making any practical attempt in my behalf was welcome.
"One thing more," I now added.

"My ring was missing from Miss Cumberland's hand when I took away those pillows.

I have reason to think--or it is natural for me to think--that she planned to return it to me by some messenger or in some letter.