“Person mentioned seen on 7th instant.  No trace since.  You have my letter of 8th instant.  Cable instructions.”

As the Mainwaring carriage appeared at the offices at four o’clock, to convey the gentlemen to Fair Oaks, Mr. Whitney was surprised to find the secretary still engaged at his desk.

“If you will excuse me,” the latter said, pleasantly, “I will not go out to Fair Oaks this evening.  I have some unfinished work here, and I will remain in the city to-night.”

Upon entering the offices the next day, however, the attorney found the following note addressed to himself: 

“Mr. Whitney.

“Dear sir,-I regret to be compelled to inform you that you will have to look for another assistant, as important business calls me away for an indefinite period.  Do not give yourself any trouble concerning the salary which you kindly offered me.  I am not in need of it, and have only been too glad to render you the little assistance within my power, knowing, as I do, that you have no easy case on your hands.

“Trusting we shall meet in the future, I am, with great esteem,
                     “Very truly yours,
                                                    “H.  Scott.

As Mr. Whitney read and reread this note, the words of the detective regarding the private secretary were recalled to his mind, and he muttered,-

“Yes, Merrick was right.  It is very evident the young man is not ‘looking for a job;’ but I’ll be blessed if I know what to think of him!”

Upon Mr. Whitney’s return to Fair Oaks, he found the guests assembled on the veranda, overlooking the river, Mr. Merrick, who had just returned from a few days’ absence, being also included in the company.  There were many exclamations of surprise and considerable comment when Mr. Whitney told of the sudden disappearance of the secretary.

“Now, that is too bad!” cried Edith Thornton.  “He was so interesting, and we were all beginning to like him so much.”

“I don’t know that any of us were so charmed with him as one might be led to suppose from your remark, Edith,” said Isabel Mainwaring, with a disdainful glance towards the attorney, who had seated himself beside Miss Carleton; “but here, almost any one will answer for a diversion, and he was really quite entertaining.”

“It is not to be expected that you would see or appreciate his good points,” said her brother, with half a sneer; “but Scott is a fine fellow and a gentleman, and I shall miss him awfully.”

Miss Carleton remained silent; but for some reason, unexplainable to herself, she was conscious of a vague sense of disappointment and injury.  She would not admit to herself that she was troubled because Scott had gone, it was the manner of his departure.  Surely, after the friendship and confidence she had shown him, he might at least have sent some word of farewell, instead of leaving as he had, apparently without a thought of her.  However, she chatted graciously with Mr. Whitney, though, all the while, a proud, dark face with strangely beautiful eyes persistently forced itself before her mental vision, nearly obliterating the smiling face of the attorney.