re. I think that some one was trying to blackmail
him. Now you can make what inquiries you like, but I am very certain of
one thing, that anything you may discover is more likely to bring
discredit upon Lord Ronald himself than anybody else."

"Madam," Andrew said, "your story, of course, I am bound to accept as
the truth, but I must tell you frankly that I shall pass it on to the
Duke, who will take up his inquiries from the point you name. If he
finds that the facts do not correspond with what you have told me, I
fear that the consequences will be disagreeable for all of you."

"Of what on earth do you suspect us?" Major Forrest asked sharply. "Do
you think that we have made away with Engleton? Why should we? We may
be the adventurers you delicately suggest, but at least we should have
an object in our crimes. Engleton had not a ten-pound note of ready
money with him. I know that for a fact, because I lent him some money
to pay his chauffeur's wages when he sent him away."

"You are perhaps holding some of his IOU's?" Andrew asked.

"I certainly am," Forrest answered, "and the sooner I hear from him the
better. If you are really the owner of this house, I shall leave
to-morrow morning."

Andrew bowed coldly.

"That," he said, "would certainly seem to be your best course. On the
contrary," he added, "I am not altogether sure that I am justified in
letting you go."

The Princess frowned at him indignantly.

"You talk nonsense, my dear Mr. Andrew, or Mr. Andrew de la Borne," she
said. "If you tried to retain Major Forrest on such a cock and bull
pretext, you would be probably very soon sorry for it. Besides you have
no power to do anything of the sort."

"Madam," Andrew answered, "I am a magistrate, and I could sign a
warrant on the spot. I do not, however, feel justified in going to such
lengths. I feel sure that if Major Forrest is wanted, we shall be able
to find him."

"Of course you will," the Princess intervened calmly. "Men like Major
Forrest do not run away just because some one chooses to make a
ridiculous charge against them. If only I could get Jeanne, I would
leave myself to-night."

"My dear Princess," Cecil said, "I hope that you do not mean it. My
brother has said more than he means, I am sure."

"I have said less." Andrew replied. "I have the very best reasons for
believing that Major Forrest has lied his way into whatever friendship
he may have had with Lord Ronald and my brother."

Forr