CHAPTER IV.
FOLLOWING UP A CLUE.
For some moments after I had perused the curious epistle Mr. Wetherell had brought into my room I remained wrapped in thought.
"What do you make of it?" my companion asked.
"I don't know what to say," I answered, looking at it again. "One thing, however, is quite certain, and that is, despite its curious wording, it is intended that you should take it seriously."
"You think that?"
"I do indeed. But I think when the inspector arrives it would'be just as well to show it to him. What do you say?"
"I agree with you. Let us defer consideration of it until we see him."
When, an hour later, the inspector put in an appearance, the letter was accordingly placed before him, and his opinion asked concerning it. He read it through without comment, carefully examined the writing and signature, and finally held it up to the light. When he had done this he turned to me and said:
"Have you that envelope we found at the Canary Bird, Mr. Hatteras?"
I took it out of my pocket and handed it to him. He then placed it on the table side by side with the
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