, and with growing eloquence. The children had
fixed their wondering eyes on his impressive figure, as he stood before
them, crozier in hand and mitre on head. Mark found that he was
growing more attentive, and liking the Bishop even better as the sermon
went on. More than that, he found himself interested in the doctrine
of Confirmation, a ceremony which but a few months before he would have
thought quite meaningless. He watched the Bishop and listened as
closely as did the children.

In the very midst of a sentence Mark saw a startled look on the face of
the preacher, a quickly suppressed look that told of great surprise.
The Bishop saved himself from breaking the current of his speech, but
so plainly did Mark notice the instance that his mind jumped at once to
the conclusion that the Bishop had seen in the congregation somebody he
had not expected in that place and at that time. Instinctively Mark's
gaze followed the Bishop's. Across the aisle, and in a direct line
with himself, sat Ruth, veiled as usual, and Madame Neuville. For an
instant only the Bishop's glance rested on the veiled girl; then he
turned again to the children. But the sermon had been spoiled for
Mark. The uneasiness was coming over him again. What did the Bishop
know? Mark could not help thinking that somehow the incident was a
proof that the detective had told the truth.

The sermon over, the Bishop's attendant came up to him, while Father
Murray went to marshal his little charges up to the foot of the altar.
As the Bishop was about to sit down on the faldstool, Mark saw him
whisper to the young priest beside him, the one Mark thought to be the
secretary. He was a well trained secretary, for he made no sign; but
Mark watched him as he calmly turned around to face the congregation.
His searching glance swept the church until it rested upon the girl
with the veil. He, too, seemed startled, but gave scarcely a sign as
he turned quickly away. When the ceremony had ended Mark left his pew,
looking straight at Ruth as he turned to face the door. He imagined
that her eyes looked directly into his; but if they did they looked at
him as a stranger. He could have seen a smile under the veil if it had
been there, but there was none. Still more worried, he left the
church. The girl remained behind, until there was no one but herself
and Madame Neuville left. In his anxiety for the girl, Mark returned
and looked at her from the rear of the