e Engagement of His Niece.

And, in the next column:

GRAND DUCHESS CARLOTTA VICTIM OF WRECK
Ruler of Ecknor Killed While
on Her Way to Washington.

The story was skillfully written. No one had "remembered," or at least
influence had been able to suppress unpleasant comment. But for the
Bishop the mere juxtaposition of words was enough. In fancy he was
back in the Seminary at Rome where he had first met Donald Murray. He
saw the tall young Englishman at his desk, in front of him the portrait
of a charming child.

"My niece," he had said. "She's a winsome little thing. I miss her
sorely."

He recalled, too, how someone had related the romance of Edgar Atheson,
who had later become Grand Duke of Ecknor. Donald Murray had been
strangely silent, he remembered. And--yes, it was just after that
that the picture had disappeared from his desk. "It is best," had been
Donald Murray's only comment.

The Bishop remembered now. And he knew why Monsignore had looked so
surprised and reproachful when asked to give his "full" confidence
regarding Ruth Atheson. He understood, now, the meaning of the quiet,
"My Lord, there are some things I cannot discuss even with you."

The Bishop bowed his head. "Blind, blind," he murmured, "to have known
so much, to have understood so little. Can you ever forgive me, my
friend?"

CHAPTER XXI

THE BECKONING HAND

The autumn tints were full on the trees in Sihasset, but the air was
still balmy enough to make the veranda of Father Murray's residence far
more pleasant than indoors. The Pastor had returned. Pipe in hand,
wearing his comfortable old cassock, and with a smile of ineffable
peace on his face, he sat chatting with Saunders. The detective was
evidently as pleased as Father Murray. He was leaning on "Old Hickory"
and puffing at a cigar, with contentment in every line of his
countenance.

"No job I ever did, Father, gave me more satisfaction than this one,"
he was saying. "It was well worth while, even though I'll have to go
out now and look for another one."

"I do not believe, Mr. Saunders," said Father Murray, "that you will
have to look for another position. In fact, I do not believe you would
care for the same kind of position you had before--would you? I
suppose I shall have to let you into a little secret. Mark is not
going to stay all the time on his Irish estate. He has bought
Killimaga and expects to be here for at le