n that will--which at the moment was missing from its
hiding-place.

He looked up suddenly into Miss Dowd's eyes. Perhaps this very secretive
young woman who was so deeply in love with Ross Duggan as to spirit away
clues which she felt might incriminate him under the very noses of his
unsuspecting family could enlighten him with regard to that document.

"Tell me," he said rapidly, "did you see anything of the will--after the
tragedy took place?"

She nodded.

"Yes. It was lying upon the table in front of Sir Andrew, and when the
lights went up again, I saw it from my place at the back of him. I saw
it distinctly. Why? Has anything happened to it? Lady Paula picked it
up once, I remember, and glanced at it; then she put it down again, I
think. But my mind was distracted in another direction and I don't
remember anything more concerning it. It's not _gone_, is it? Surely
Ross can't be done out of his inheritance that way? Oh, if that
woman...."

The venom in her voice was appalling to Cleek. There was something
inscrutable and oddly snake-like in the methods this young woman
employed. It repulsed while it fascinated. And no doubt she could strike
with a poisoned tongue upon aggravation.

"Well," said he, "I didn't happen to see it there this morning, Miss
Dowd, but no doubt it had been put away for safety. I have had no
opportunity of interviewing any one but Miss Duggan--and now yourself"
(he made no mention of his early morning visit from Lady Paula), "and
probably it has a very meek and mild solution."

"I hope so, indeed. I'll be going now, Mr. Deland. You think I did right
about the stiletto?--knowing the bad blood which lies between Lady Paula
and Ross? It wouldn't do, you know, to place any possible weapon in that
woman's hands. She'd use it for her own ends immediately."

"As you would do also, my dear young lady," registered Cleek silently as
she left the room. "Gad! Well, here's evidence for us to investigate,
anyhow. She's a strange mixture, that girl, and one who would stop at
nothing.... By George! no, but she wouldn't, even for the sort of love
that _her_ kind would give a man! And it was _his_ inheritance which was
in jeopardy, don't forget that!... It's a pretty kettle of fish, indeed!
And this Ross Duggan seems to have half the countryside in love with
him! That's the third woman, including his affianced bride. His is
surely the deadly kind that they all fall for! Well, I'm glad the
inheritance