“That was Miss Mina Murray?” Again I assented.

“It is Mina Murray that I came to see that was friend of that poor dear child Lucy Westenra. Madam Mina, it is on account of the dead that I come.”

“Sir,” I said, “you could have no better claim on me than that you were a friend and helper of Lucy Westenra.”And I held out my hand. He took it and said tenderly,

“Oh, Madam Mina, I know that the friend of that poor little girl must be good, but I had yet to learn � “ He finished his speech with a courtly bow. I asked him what it was that he wanted to see me about, so he at once began.

“I have read your letters to Miss Lucy. Forgive me, but I had to begin to