“Have you heard anything of the Langmore estate?”

“Yes.  Mr. Langmore left his wife her legal share, and the balance to his daughters, Margaret getting a little the larger portion.  Mrs. Langmore leaves her money to her sons, one-fourth to Dick, the spendthrift, and three-fourths to Tom.  I have also rooted out some papers among Styles’ effects, which will give Tom Ostrello his patent back, and also give some patent rights to Mr. Langmore’s estate.  I can tell you, Matlock Styles was a deep one.  It was only once in a great while that he drank and bungled.”

“Well, the greatest of criminals have their weak spots, you know that as well as I do.  Styles, I suppose, also got up that bogus confession, signed in Miss Langmore’s name.”

“He did.  When he found the girl wouldn’t marry him, he was wild and ready for any treachery.”

“And how is the girl doing?”

“I am going to see now.”

When out on the street, Adam Adams ran into Tom Ostrello, arm in arm with Letty.  He was amazed for an instant, and then his face broke into a smile.

“I just couldn’t help it, Uncle Adam!” cried the girl.  “I had to come here to congratulate Tom on his escape.”

“Well, I don’t blame you, Letty.  Yes, it has turned out well for you.  I hope it turns out as well for Miss Langmore and Mr. Case.”

Margaret was again at Martha Sampson’s cottage.  When the detective entered he heard a murmur of voices in one of the upper rooms.  He ran upstairs, to find the girl sitting up in bed and Raymond by her side.  The young man’s face was filled with happiness.

“Come in!  Come in!” he cried joyously.  “She has come around all right, Mr. Adams.  She is a little weak still, but the doctor says she will be well as ever in a week or ten days.  The good news has braced her up wonderfully.”

“And all due to you, Mr. Adams,” said the girl.  “Oh, how can I ever thank you enough?” She clasped his hand warmly.  “You are so good!”

“This is certainly famous,” he replied, sitting down at the foot of the bed.  “It’s the best news yet.  I have just left one happy couple and here I find another.”

“You mean Tom Ostrello and that young lady from your office?” asked Raymond.  And then, as the detective nodded, he went on:  “I met them, and I asked them to come here.  Margaret wanted to see them.”

“I wish Tom to know that I want to be friends, always,” said Margaret.  “We have had enough of trouble in the family.  And when he gets married, I want to be friends with his wife, too.”

“I am glad to hear that, for I know it will please Letty and she is a good girl.  It may be—­ Here they come, now!”

A minute later the newcomers were ushered into the sick room, and the two girls, who had never met, were introduced to each other.  It was a happy meeting all around, and the lovers were all as devoted as lovers can well be.  Seeing this, Adam Adams thought it about time to leave.