promised to lend her. You remember the Lieutenant Thorn
whom Richard spoke of as being the real criminal?"

"Yes."

"I think he is at West Lynne."

Mr. Carlyle was aroused to eager interest.

"He! The same Thorn?"

"It can be no other. Mamma and I were shopping to-day, and I went out
for her bag, which she left in the carriage. While Benjamin was getting
it, I saw a stranger coming up the street--a tall, good-looking,
dark-haired man, with a conspicuous gold chain and studs. The sun was
full upon him, causing the ornaments to shine, especially a diamond
ring which he wore, for he had one hand raised to his face. The thought
flashed over me, 'That is just like the description Richard gave of
the man Thorn.' Why the idea should have occurred to me in that strange
manner, I do not know, but it most assuredly did occur, though I did not
really suppose him to be the same. Just then I heard him spoken to by
some one on the other side of the street; it was Otway Bethel, and he
called him _Captain Thorn_."

"This is curious, indeed, Barbara. I did not know any stranger was at
West Lynne."

"I saw Mr. Wainwright, and asked him who it was. He said a Captain
Thorn, a friend of the Herberts. A Lieutenant Thorn four or five years
ago would probably be Captain Thorn now."

Mr. Carlyle nodded, and there was a pause.

"What can be done?" asked Barbara.

Mr. Carlyle was passing one hand over his brow; it was a habit of his
when in deep thought.

"It is hard to say what is to be done, Barbara. The description you gave
of this man certainly tallies with that given by Richard. Did he look
like a gentleman?"

"Very much so. A remarkably aristocratic looking man, as it struck me."

Mr. Carlyle again nodded assentingly. He remembered Richard's words,
when describing the other: "an out-and-out aristocrat." "Of course,
Barbara, the first thing must be to try and ascertain whether it is
the same," he observed. "If we find it is, then we must deliberate upon
future measures. I will see what I can pick up and let you know."

Barbara rose. Mr. Carlyle escorted her across the hall, and then
strolled down the park by her side, deep in the subject, and quite
unconscious that Lady Isabel's jealous eyes were watching them from her
dressing-room window.

"You say he seemed intimate with Otway Bethel?"

"As to being intimate, I cannot say. Otway Bethel spoke as though he
knew him."

"This must have caused excitement to Mrs. Hare."