Soon the doors were filled with little groups of men and women, all exchanging friendly greetings, and indulging in pleasant gossip before seeking their homes, and to the intense delight of Vinton, he noticed among a company of young ladies, the face and form of Mary Crilly, the pretty servant of the sister of Newton Edwards.

Finding his gaze riveted upon this group, his companion lightly pulled him by the arm, exclaiming: 

“What’s the matter, Vinton.  Has Mary Crilly captivated your senses?”

“I don’t know who you allude to, but there is one of the prettiest girls I have seen for a long time.”

“I know who you mean, though,” said his companion laughingly, “and she is one of the nicest girls I know.  Although she is simply a servant, she is both pretty, intelligent and industrious.”

“Do you know her?” asked Vinton, both delighted and surprised.

“Certainly I do,” answered his companion; “her name is Mary Crilly, and she is living with a family on Logan Place.”

“Can’t you introduce me?” inquired Vinton anxiously.

“Yes, if you want me to; that’s my sister she is talking to now, they are fast friends, and Mary will probably spend the evening at our house.  Come along, and perhaps you will lose your heart.”

The apples had certainly fallen right into his lap, and fortune had favored him this time, if never before.

Stepping up with his friend, Vinton was soon made acquainted with the pretty young domestic, and in a short time afterward was walking by her side in the direction of his friend’s house, where Mary was to spend the afternoon and evening.

Strange as it may appear, young Vinton, when not on duty, associated freely with his companions, not one of whom suspected the business in which he was engaged.  They only knew that he was employed in an office “down town,” and that frequently he was required to be absent from the city for weeks.  In a large city, however, there is not the same inclination to inquire about the private affairs of one’s neighbors, and hence he had been able, for prudential reasons, to avoid announcing his real occupation, and was not compelled to make a social hermit of himself because of his profession.

Being pressed to remain at the house of his friend, Vinton cordially accepted the situation, and devoted himself to the fair Miss Crilly so assiduously that he soon was in high favor with that young lady.  After an enjoyable afternoon, he had the pleasure of escorting Miss Crilly to her home, and when he left her at her door, he was gratified to receive an invitation to call again, which he joyfully accepted, and resolved to take advantage of at an early date.

Thus far we had been successful; we had obtained a photograph of Edwards, which had been promptly recognized.  We had learned from his wife that he was hiding in the state of New York; and we had reliable men carefully posted in such a manner that in a very short time definite information must assuredly be obtained.