The Meredith Mystery

By NATALIE SUMNER LINCOLN

Author of “The Cat’s Paw,” “The Unseen Ear,” “The Red Seal,”

“I Spy,” “The Moving Finger,” etc.

A. L. BURT COMPANY

Publishers New York

Published by arrangement with D. Appleton & Company Printed in U. S. A.

COPYRIGHT, 1923

BY D. APPLETON AND COMPANY

Copyright, 1922, 1923, by Street and Smith

Printed in the United States of America

TO

MARIE LOUGHBOROUGH CHAMBERLAIN

A kind tender heart, and a true loving friend

Are God’s best gifts—from beginning to end.

CONTENTS

I

THE TEMPTATION

II

THE SCENTED HANDKERCHIEF

III

A QUESTION OF COLOR

IV

RUFFLES

V

THE INQUEST

VI

TESTIMONY

VII

SUSPICION

VIII

THE PLEDGE

IX

TWO PIECES OF STRING

X

THE SOLITARY INITIAL

XI

THE HAND ON THE COUNTERPANE

XII

MURDER

XIII

PRELIMINARY SKIRMISHING

XIV

THE DUPLICATE KEY

XV

AT THE FORK OF THE ROAD

XVI

A CRY IN THE NIGHT

XVII

UNDER LOCK AND KEY

XVIII

THE POLICE WARRANT

XIX

OUT OF THE MAZE