round the angle leading to the west wing. Then Mr. Percy
stole on until he stood at the door of the wing. Satisfying himself
that Davlin was actually within the forbidden room, he waited for
nothing further, but glided quietly back to his own door, looking as
imperturbable as ever and saying to himself:

"There is a mystery; and we, _rather I_, am not to see Mr. Arthur at
present. Well, I don't want to see him; but _I hold the clue_ to your
little game, my fair second wife."

Lucian Davlin went to the city, but he did not set a detective on the
track of Celine Leroque. He chose his man, one who had served him
before, and set him about something quite different. Then he returned,
feeling quite satisfied and confident of success.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

A SLIGHT COMPLICATION.

And what of Celine, or Madeline, as we may call her once more?

She had said, when writing to Olive, that her stay in the city must be
very brief. But even her strong will could not keep off the light
attack of fever that was the result of fatigue and exposure to night
breezes. And the morning following her arrival at the villa, found her
unable to rise from her bed.

Dr. Vaughan was summoned in haste, and his verdict anxiously waited
for. "It was a slight fever attack," he said, "but the wearied-out
body must not be hurried. It must rest."

And he forbade Madeline to leave her room for a week at least, unless
she wished to bring upon herself a return of her summer's illness.

Much to his surprise and gratification, Madeline did not rebel, but
replied, philosophically: "I can't afford to take any risks now; I
will be good. But you must watch my interests."

During the first day of her "imprisonment," as she laughingly called
it, Clarence and Olive were put in possession of all the facts that
had not already been communicated by letter.

Upon one thing they were all agreed, namely, that it would be wise for
Clarence to make another journey to Bellair.

"They won't be able to accomplish much during the week that I must
remain inactive," said Madeline. "But it will be safest to know just
what they are about. Besides, I have reasons for thinking that Henry
is growing dissatisfied, and it is to our interest to keep him where
he is for the present. Had a suitable opportunity offered, I should
have made him aware of my identity. But as it did not present itself,
I left it with Hagar to inform him that he was serving me by
remaining."

Dr.