ith the police. Detectives were in and out of the bank all day long, and
a famous private detective had promised him that the fugitive would be
captured within seven days.

Detective Foxley entered the bank one day to see Vivian Ormsby, and
brought the banker news of his latest investigations. The inspector was a
small, thin-featured, sandy-haired man, with a calm exterior and a
deliberate manner. He entered Ormsby's private room unobtrusively, and
closed the door after him with care.

"Well, what news, Foxley?"

"My men have shadowed everybody, but so far with no result. I thought it
advisable to keep an eye on the young lady. He is sure to communicate
with her, and she'll try to see him. His people at the rectory know where
he is, and I suspect that Mr. Herresford knows as well. My man reports
that the young lady went to Asherton Hall after an interview with Mr.
Herresford's valet. She came out of the house in a state of excitement,
and showed every sign of joy. She thought she was alone, and danced and
ran like a child, from which we deduced that she had seen the young man,
and that he was hiding in Asherton Hall. We went so far as to interview
the housekeeper, who made it clear that the young man had not been there,
and offered to let us search. But we are watching the house."

"And the rectory?" asked Ormsby.

"He hasn't been there. Miss Dundas called at the rectory as well, and
after a short visit returned home on foot. Evidently, she is getting
information from his relatives. It has occurred to me that she'll
possibly write to him, addressing him by some other name. Can you,
therefore, arrange to have her letters posted by some--some responsible
servant who will take copies of all the addresses?"

"I have no doubt that can be done. The housekeeper at the colonel's is a
very good friend of mine. I have tipped her handsomely. The letters are
all posted in a letter-box in the hall, and cleared by the same servant
every day."

"We have endeavored to approach the servants at the rectory, but--no go.
They are of course stanch and loyal to their young master. That is only
natural. Mrs. Swinton has been shadowed, and she has made no attempt to
meet her son. Our only danger is that he may get out of the country
again. Every port is watched."

"What puzzles me is the visit of Miss Dundas to Herresford," said Ormsby,
thinking of his letter of dismissal, with the old miser's monogram on
it.

"She evidently went th