a detective,
and many a time have I learned that prayers can be answered. But this is
all beside the question," went on Hurd quickly, and with that nervous
shame with which an Englishman masks the better part of himself. "I'll
see about the story for you. Meanwhile, I am going to a card-party to
meet, incidentally, Mr. Grexon Hay."

"Ah! You still suspect him?"

"I do, and with good reason. He's got another mug in tow. Lord George
Sandal, the son of Lord--well I needn't mention names, but Hay's trying
to clear the young ass out, and I'm on the watch. Hay will never know me
as the Count de la Tour. Not he, smart as he is. I'm fly!"

"Do you speak French well?"

"Moderately. But I play a silent part and say little. I shut my mouth
and open my eyes. But what I came here to say is, that I intend to find
out the assassin of Aaron Norman."

"I can't offer you a reward, Hurd," said Paul, with a sigh.

"Oh, that's all right. The widow, by the advice of Pash, has doubled the
reward. One thousand pounds it is now--worth winning, eh?"

"Humph!" said Paul, moodily, "I shouldn't think she loved her husband so
much as that."

Hurd's brown eyes shot a red flame which showed that he was excited,
though he was cool enough externally. "Yes," he admitted in a careless
manner, "she certainly does act the weeping widow in rather an
exaggerated fashion. However, she's got the cash now--or at least her
daughter has, which is the same thing. The two have taken up their
quarters in a fashionable hotel in the West End, and are looking for a
house. The old woman manages everything, and she will be one too many
for Mr. Hay."

"What? Does he know Mrs. Krill? He said he didn't."

"Quite right. He didn't when the ladies went first to Pash's office. But
Hay, on the look-out for a rich wife, got Pash to introduce him to the
ladies, who were charmed with him. He's making up to the daughter, even
in the few weeks that have elapsed, and now is assisting them to find a
house. The daughter loves him I fancy, but whether the mother will
allow the marriage to take place I can't say."

"Surely not on such a short acquaintance."

Hurd bent forward as about to say something, then changed his mind.
"Really, I don't know--Hay is fascinating and handsome. Have you been to
see him yet?"

"No. He asked me, but all these troubles have put him out of my head.
Why do you ask?"

"Because next time he invites you, go."

"You warned me against him."