o," replied Constance; "my lawyer is out of town, and there is no one
else upon whom I can rely. You must act alone, Mr. Belknap."

"Authorized by you I shall not hesitate to do so," he replied, bowing
courteously. "The case looks very clear to me. It will be a matter of
time of course, these old birds are sly; but eventually they will try to
market their wares, and then we shall have them. You can give me an
accurate description of all the stolen jewels, Miss Wardour?"

"Oh, certainly."

"Then the sooner that is done the better."

At this moment a soft rap sounded on the door. Constance crossed the
room and admitted Nelly, who said in a low tone:

"Mr. Francis Lamotte wishes to see you, Miss. I told him you were
particular engaged, just as you told me; but he said to tell you he had
just come from his search, and would only detain you for a moment."

Constance paled slightly, and after a moment's thought, said:

"Wait a moment, Nelly." Then she went back and addressed the detective
and her aunt.

"It is Francis Lamotte," she said, adding, by way of explanation, to the
detective, "the eldest son of Mr. Lamotte, and brother of the young lady
who has brought trouble to herself and family. He, Francis, went on
Saturday, on a self-imposed search through the surrounding country, in
the hopes of finding some trace of these robbers. If he is but now
returned he cannot yet have heard of his sister's flight. We cannot let
him go away in ignorance, and yet," turning a look of swift appeal upon
her aunt, "Aunt Honor, will _you_ lay aside old prejudices and tell him
of this sad misfortune?"

Mrs. Aliston looked doubtful for a moment, then a look of satisfied
commiseration came into her face as she thought:

"She can't be very much infatuated with him or she would herself
undertake this delicate task, and I can afford to pity the poor fellow,
since she does not pity him overmuch," hence the strange mingling of
pleasure and pity in her face as she said aloud:

"Certainly I will break the news to him, my dear, and as gently as is in
my power."

Constance was turning to give her answer to Nelly when the voice of the
detective interposed.

"Pardon me," he said, "you tell me this young man has been scouring the
country in search of information. Would it not be well to hear what
report he brings? To allow me to see him here in your presence, and then
let Mrs. Aliston tell him her story. Ill news you know," smiling
slightly