lacing one hand tenderly on Leon's head, he spoke
softly:

"Be brave, my lad. Many such bitter moments as this must be borne
through life. You must meet them like a courageous man."

"There is no hope?" sobbed Leon.

"None! He is dying now! See how faint his respirations are?"

With a cry of anguish Leon fell to his knees and gazed into his dog's
eyes. He patted the head lying so limp and listless, and in response
poor Lossy made one feeble effort. He gazed back into his master's
face, and Leon ever afterward claimed that, in that last lingering
look, he detected the living soul which was about to depart from his
dying dog. Lossy painfully opened his mouth and protruded his tongue
so that it barely touched Leon's hand in the old-time affectionate
salutation, and the soul of the dog departed for that realm beyond the
veil.

Leon leaned forward a moment, with his ear to the dog's heart,
listening for an answering vibration, which would indicate that life
yet lingered, but, receiving none, with a cry he fell forward to the
floor and burst into uncontrollable sobs.

Doctor Medjora, wise physician that he was, made no futile effort to
restrain these tears, knowing them to be the best outlet for natural
grief. With a glance filled with tender love for his _protege_, he
unlocked the door and passed out unobserved, leaving Leon with all
that remained of the Marquis of Lossy.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE DISCOVERY.

Early in the morning of the same day upon which Leon had offered
himself to Agnes, Madame Medjora, reading her _Herald_, had at last
found the long-awaited personal, "Come," the signal which she had
arranged with the detective. Immediately after breakfast, therefore,
she had started forth to learn what had been discovered.

Arrived at the agency, she was at once ushered into the presence of
Mr. Barnes.

"Well," said she, scarcely waiting to be seated, "what have you found
out?"

"I have learned everything," said Mr. Barnes, without any show of
feeling.

"You have? Well, go on. Why don't you tell me?" Madame was very
impatient, but the detective was in no hurry.

"I have known what I have learned for over a week, Madame Medjora,"
said he slowly, "and during that time I have hesitated to send for
you. Even now, when you are here, I am not sure that I shall be doing
the right thing to give you any information upon this subject, without
first communicating with your husband."

"Ah! I see," said Madam