Did you write her a letter a fortnight ago ? '' `` A letter ? No . '' `` Well , she got one then . I thought it came from you -- I did n't know who else would be writing to her . A boy brought it and gave it to her at the door . She 's been acting strange ever since . She cries at night -- something Lynde never did before except when her mother died . And in daytime she roams the shore and woods like one possessed . You must find out what was in that letter , Mr. Douglas . '' `` Have you any idea who the boy was ? '' Alan asked , feeling somewhat relieved . The mystery was clearing up , he thought . No doubt it was the old story of some cowardly anonymous letter . His thoughts flew involuntarily to Isabel King . Emily shook her head . `` No . He was just a half-grown fellow with reddish hair and he limped a little . '' `` Oh , that is the postmaster 's son , '' said Alan disappointedly . `` That puts us further off the scent than ever .
The letter was probably dropped in the box at the office and there will consequently be no way XXXXX tracing the writer . ''
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