let you marry me, and would allow us an
income, if I gave him the serpent brooch to take to America."

"But why did he want the brooch?" asked Sylvia, puzzled.

"Ah!" said Beecot, with great significance, "if we could find out his
reason we would learn who killed him and why he was killed."

Sylvia wept afresh on this reference to the tragedy which was yet fresh
in her memory: but as weeping would not bring back the dead, and Paul
was much distressed at the sight of her tears, she dried her eyes for
the hundredth time within the last few days and sat again on the sofa by
her lover. There they built castles in the air.

"I tell you what, Sylvia," said Paul, reflectively; "after this will
business is settled and a few weeks have elapsed, we can marry."

"Oh, Paul, not for a year! Think of poor father's memory."

"I do think of it, my darling, and I believe I am saying what your
father himself would have said. The circumstances of the case are
strange, as you are left with a lot of money and without a protector.
You know I love you for yourself, and would take you without a penny,
but unless we marry soon, and you give me a husband's right, you will be
pestered by people wanting to marry you." Paul thought of Grexon Hay
when he made this last remark.

"But I wouldn't listen to them," cried Sylvia, with a flush, "and Debby
would soon send them away. I love you dearest, dear."

"Then marry me next month," said Paul, promptly. "You can't stop here in
this dull house, and it will be awkward for you to go about with
Deborah, faithful though she is. No, darling, let us marry, and then we
shall go abroad for a year or two until all this sad business is
forgotten. Then I hope by that time to become reconciled to my father,
and we can visit Wargrove."

Sylvia reflected. She saw that Paul was right, as her position was
really very difficult. She knew of no lady who would chaperon her, and
she had no relative to act as such. Certainly Deborah could be a
chaperon, but she was not a lady, and Pash could be a guardian, but he
was not a relative. Paul as her husband would be able to protect her,
and to look after the property which Sylvia did not think she could do
herself. These thoughts made her consent to an early marriage. "And I
really don't think father would have minded."

"I am quite sure we are acting as he would wish," said Beecot,
decisively. "I am so thankful, Sylvia sweetest, that I met you and loved
you before y