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       [Illustration: "SEND AWAY THAT BOY! ORDER HIM OUT, AVICE!"
                                                             _Page 254_]




                                  THE
                              MARK OF CAIN


                            By CAROLYN WELLS
  _Author of "A Chain of Evidence," "The Gold Bag," "The White Alley,"
                                 etc._

                   _WITH A FRONTISPIECE IN COLOR BY_
                             GAYLE HOSKINS

                        PHILADELPHIA AND LONDON
                        J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
                                  1917


              COPYRIGHT, 1917, BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
                        PUBLISHED JANUARY, 1917

                  PRINTED BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
                     AT THE WASHINGTON SQUARE PRESS
                         PHILADELPHIA, U. S. A.




                                CONTENTS


  CHAPTER                                                           PAGE
  I. Through the Green Cord                                            7
  II. Who Could Have Done It?                                         21
  III. Pinckney, the Reporter                                         33
  IV. The Inquest Begins                                              45
  V. The Swede                                                        57
  VI. Out of the West                                                 69
  VII. Stephanotis                                                    81
  VIII. The Milk Bottle                                               93
  IX. A Clause in the Will                                           105
  X. Stryker's Handkerchief                                          117
  XI. Duane, the Detective                                           127
  XII. A New Theory                                                  139
  XIII. Fibsy Fibs                                                   153
  XIV. Two Suitors                                                   165
  XV. The Trap that was Set                                          175
  XVI. A Promise                                                     187
  XVII. Madame Isis                                                  198
  XVIII. All for Love                                                210
  XIX. Two at Luncheon                                               223
  XX. Fleming Stone                                                  233
  XXI. Stone's Questions                                             245
  XXII. Judge Hoyt's Plan                                            259
  XXIII. In Kito's Care                                              269
  XXIV. Escape                                                       282
  XXV. The Whole Truth                                               294




                            THE MARK OF CAIN




                               CHAPTER I
                         THROUGH THE GREEN CORD


Judge Hoyt's strong, keen face took on a kindlier aspect and his curt
"Hello!" was followed by gentler tones, as he heard the voice of the girl
he loved, over the telephone.

"What is it, Avice?" he said, for her speech showed anxiety.

"Uncle Rowly,--he hasn't come home yet."

"He hasn't? Well, I hope he'll turn up soon. I want to see him. I was
coming up this evening."

"Come now," said Avice; "come now, and dine here. I am so anxious about
uncle."

"Why, Avice, don't worry. He is all right, of course."

"No he isn't. I feel a presentiment something has happened to him. He
never was so late as this before, unless we knew where he was. Do come
right up, won't you, Judge?"

"Certainly I will; I'm very glad to. But I'm sure your fears are
groundless. What about Mrs. Black? Is she alarmed?"

"No, Eleanor laughs at me."

"Then I think you needn't disturb yourself. Surely she----"

"Yes, I know what you're going to say, but she isn't a bit fonder of
Uncle Rowly than I am. Good-by."

Avice hung up the receiver with a little snap. She was willing that Mrs.
Black should marry her uncle, but she did hate to be relegated to second
place in the household. Already the handsome widow was asserting her
supremacy, and while Avice acknowledged the justice of it, it hurt her
pride a little.

"I've asked Judge Hoyt to dinner," she said, as she returned to her post
at the window.

Mrs. Black glanced up from the evening paper she was reading and murmured
an indistinct acquiescence.

It was late June, yet the city home of the Trowbridges was still occupied
by the family. As Avice often said, the big town house was cooler than
most summer resorts, with their small rooms and lack of shade. Here, the
linen-swathed furniture, the white-draped chandeliers and pictures, the
rugless floors, all contributed to an effect of coolness and comfort.

Avice, herself, in her pretty white gown, fluttered from one window to
another, looking out for her uncle.

"Mrs. Black, why do you suppose Uncle Rowly doesn't come? He said he
would be home early, and it's after six o'clock now!"

"I don't know Avice, I'm sure. Do be quiet! You fluster around so, you
make me nervous