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 phyxiating. He located the fumes, broke in the door—and there was Valdeck—dead!"

Philippa gasped.

"Dead!" went on Mrs. Ford. "And in his pocket was found a slip of paper on which, written in pencil, was a statement that his accusations made to you against Victoria were unfounded and merely made for the purpose of discrediting the Auray story. It was really superfluous, for her statement has been fully substantiated, but I suppose he grew sentimental over his impending death, or the whiskey, for he had been drinking heavily during the evening; a bottle nearly three-quarters empty was found by his bed. Now, you see, with Valdeck dead, the principal reason for pursuing the affair has been removed. Of course, the State will have its case against the woman for complicity, but as she confessed on hearing of her accomplice's suicide, and they are in a fair way to recover all the jewels stolen from New Orleans, there won't be much of an examination. Your appearance will be quite nominal—and those letters once returned, there is plenty of proof forthcoming that you were merely a tool." 292