Chapter I: Front Matter

THE GIRL NEXT DOOR

THE GIRL NEXT DOOR

BY AUGUSTA HUIELL SEAMAN

Author of "The Sapphire Signet," "The Boarded-Up House," etc.

ILLUSTRATED BY C. M. RELYEA

NEW YORK THE CENTURY CO.

Copyright, 1917, by THE CENTURY CO.

TO HOA-SIAN-SIN-NÎU (Margaret Gillespie Fagg)

AND TO THE MEMORY OF HOA-SIAN-SIN (John Gerardus Fagg, D.D.)

THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE
I MARCIA'S SECRET 3
II THE FACE BEHIND THE SHUTTER 20
III THE GATE OPENS 32
IV THE BACKWARD GLANCE 43
V THE HANDKERCHIEF IN THE WINDOW 54
VI CECILY REVEALS HERSELF 62
VII SURPRISES ALL AROUND 72
VIII AT THE END OF THE STRING 81
IX FOR THE SAKE OF CECILY 94
X THE FILIGREE BRACELET 111
XI THE LIFTED VEIL 119
XII MISS BENEDICT SPEAKS 129
XIII VIA WIRELESS 141
XIV THE WRITING ON THE BRACELETS 149
XV PUZZLING IT OUT 160
XVI ONE MYSTERY EXPLAINED 170
XVII MAJOR GOODRICH ASSISTS 183
XVIII THE MAJOR HAS A FURTHER INSPIRATION 192
XIX THE UNEXPECTED 206
XX AUNT MINERVA TAKES COMMAND 227
XXI SIX MONTHS LATER 251

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE
Marcia turned to stare out of the window at the house
opposite _Frontispiece_
Cecily Marlowe passed them by without a look 49
They heard Cecily's light footsteps 83
"I'm going to ask Miss Benedict if we can't open these
shutters," cried Janet, suddenly 105
In the sudden light of the open door she stood revealed 125
"Words on two bracelets are identical," replied Lee Ching,
precisely 157
"Child, I suppose you wonder very much at this queer life
I lead" 171
"Sydney must have come in again; I hear him practising!" 257

THE GIRL NEXT DOOR