tually taken place. Don't suppose that the present
separation between them is final; I will answer for their meeting again.

I may now proceed to the failure of my agent, and to the course of
action that I have adopted in consequence.

The investigations appear to have definitely broken down at the seaside
village of Clovelly, in the neighborhood of Mr. Winterfield's country
seat. Knowing that I could depend upon the information which associated
this gentleman with Miss Eyrecourt, under compromising circumstances of
some sort, I decided on seeing Mr. Winterfield, and judging for myself.

The agent's report informed me that the person who had finally baffled
his inquiries was an aged Catholic priest, long resident at Clovelly.
His name is Newbliss, and he is much respected among the Catholic gentry
in that part of Devonshire. After due consideration, I obtained a
letter of introduction to my reverend colleague, and traveled to
Clovelly--telling my friends here that I was taking a little holiday, in
the interests of my health.

I found Father Newbliss a venerable and reticent son of the Church--with
one weak point, however, to work on, which was entirely beyond the reach
of the otherwise astute person charged with my inquiries. My reverend
friend is a scholar, and is inordinately proud of his learning. I am a
scholar too. In that capacity I first found my way to his sympathies,
and then gently encouraged his pride. The result will appear in certain
discoveries, which I number as follows:

1. The events which connect Mr. Winterfield with Miss Eyrecourt happened
about two years since, and had their beginning at Beaupark House.

2. At this period, Miss Eyrecourt and her mother were staying at
Beaupark House. The general impression in the neighborhood was that Mr.
Winterfield and Miss Eyrecourt were engaged to be married.

3. Not long afterward, Miss Eyrecourt and her mother surprised the
neighborhood by suddenly leaving Beaupark House. Their destination was
supposed to be London.

4. Mr. Winterfield himself next left his country seat for the Continent.
His exact destination was not mentioned to any one. The steward, soon
afterward, dismissed all the servants, and the house was left empty for
more than a year.

5. At the end of that time Mr. Winterfield returned alone to Beaupark
House, and told nobody how, or where, he had passed the long interval of
his absence.

6. Mr. Winterfield remains, to the present day