Chapter I: Preface

A word to my readers before they begin these pages.

As a woman of inborn principle and strict Presbyterian training, I hate deception and cannot abide subterfuge. This is why, after a year or more of hesitation, I have felt myself constrained to put into words the true history of the events surrounding the solution of that great mystery which made Lost Man's Lane the dread of the neighboring country. Feminine delicacy, and a natural shrinking from revealing to the world certain weaknesses on my part, inseparable from a true relation of this tale, led me to consent to the publication of that meagre and decidedly falsified account of the matter which has appeared in some of our leading papers.

But conscience has regained its sway in my breast, and with all due confidence in your forbearance, I herein take my rightful place in these annals, of whose interest and importance I now leave you to judge.

AMELIA BUTTERWORTH.

GRAMERCY PARK, NEW YORK.

CONTENTS

_BOOK I_ THE KNOLLYS FAMILY

I.--A VISIT FROM MR. GRYCE

II.--I AM TEMPTED

III.--I SUCCUMB

IV.--A GHOSTLY INTERIOR

V.--A STRANGE HOUSEHOLD

VI.--A SOMBRE EVENING

VII.--THE FIRST NIGHT

VIII.--ON THE STAIRS

IX.--A NEW ACQUAINTANCE

X.--SECRET INSTRUCTIONS

XI.--MEN, WOMEN, AND GHOSTS

XII.--THE PHANTOM COACH

XIII.--GOSSIP

XIV.--I FORGET MY AGE, OR, RATHER, REMEMBER IT

_BOOK II_ THE FLOWER PARLOR

XV.--LUCETTA FULFILS MY EXPECTATION OF HER

XVI.--LOREEN

XVII.--THE FLOWER PARLOR

XVIII.--THE SECOND NIGHT

XIX.--A KNOT OF CRAPE

XX.--QUESTIONS

XXI.--MOTHER JANE

XXII.--THE THIRD NIGHT

_BOOK III_ FORWARD AND BACK

XXIII.--ROOM 3, HOTEL CARTER

XXIV.--THE ENIGMA OF NUMBERS

XXV.--TRIFLES, BUT NOT TRIFLING

XXVI.--A POINT GAINED

XXVII.--THE TEXT WITNESSETH

XXVIII.--AN INTRUSION

XXIX.--IN THE CELLAR

XXX.--INVESTIGATION

XXXI.--STRATEGY

XXXII.--RELIEF

_BOOK IV_ THE BIRDS OF THE AIR

XXXIII.--LUCETTA

XXXIV.--CONDITIONS

XXXV--THE DOVE

XXXVI.--AN HOUR OF STARTLING EXPERIENCES

XXXVII.--I ASTONISH MR. GRYCE AND HE ASTONISHES ME

XXXVIII.--A FEW WORDS

XXXIX.--UNDER A CRIMSON SKY

XL.--EXPLANATIONS