artificial, and
would die away soon. Princess Karacsay saw this, and urged her daughter
to tell her story quickly before she collapsed, so that the police might
be sent in search of Anne.

"The police will never find her," said Olga, with an effort. "She is
with Mark Dane. He has taken her away."

"Dane?" echoed Giles. "Denham's secretary?"

Olga looked at him with an inquiring air. "How much do you know?" she
asked, bracing herself up.

"As much as your mother could tell me. I know that Anne is your
half-sister, and----"

"Yes." Olga tried to rise, but sank back again. "She is my sister, my
dear sister, and I love her with all the strength of my nature."

"Ah," said Ware sadly, "why did you not talk like that when last we met,
mademoiselle?"

Olga passed her hand across her forehead. "I was mad, I think. But that
is all over. You need have no fear now, Mr. Ware. My passion for you has
spent itself."

"Olga!" cried the Princess, scandalized, "you rave!"

"No," answered her daughter; "I did last time Mr. Ware and I were
together, but now I talk sense. Did he not tell?"

"I told nothing," interposed Giles quickly; "and you had better relate
when and where you left Anne, so that we can find her."

"I'll do all in my power to save her and bring her back to you, Mr.
Ware. I was mad to talk and act as I did; but I have been punished by
the loss of Anne."

"Olga!" cried the Princess in desperation, "for Heaven's sake speak
reasonably! Why did you go out with Anne last night?"

"There was a note for Anne from Mark Dane, asking her to meet him near
the Abbey. She wanted to see him, as he vanished after the supposed
death of her father."

"Of Alfred Denham," interrupted the Princess angrily; "I will not have
that man called Anne's father."

"Of Denham," said Olga obediently. "Anne wished to learn why her father
had acted in so peculiar a way. She could not understand his behavior."

"He is a scoundrel and Anne a saint," said the Princess bitterly. "No
wonder she could not understand him. She thinks he is a good man."

"But surely she knows that he killed Daisy Kent," said Giles.

"No," interposed Olga; "she denies that he did. I expect Denham has
managed to deceive her in some way."

"Why did you not undeceive her, mademoiselle?"

"It was not yet time," responded the girl quietly, "but my mother told
her a portion of the truth."

"Yes. I said that she was my child and that Denham had been
impersonatin