lic when and
where you please."

"Then before I do anything else I will beg your pardon for my conduct to
you. You have taken a noble revenge. I cannot thank you sufficiently.
But there is not a moment to lose. My daughter is at a ball at
Government House at the present moment. I should have accompanied her,
but my gout would not permit me. Will you oblige me by ringing that
bell?"

I rang the bell as requested, and then asked what he intended doing.

"Going off to his Excellency at once, gout or no gout, and telling him
what you have told me. If it is as you have said, we must catch these
scoundrels and rescue your friend without an instant's delay!"

Half an hour later we were at Government House waiting in his
Excellency's study for an interview. The music of the orchestra in the
ball-room came faintly in to us, and when Lord Amberley entered the room
he seemed surprised, as well he might be, to see us. But as soon as he
had heard what we had to tell him his expression changed. "Mr.
Wetherell, this is a very terrible charge you bring against my guest. Do
you think it can possibly be true?"

"I sadly fear so," said Mr. Wetherell. "But perhaps Mr. Hatteras will
tell you the story as he told it to me."

I did so, and, when I had finished, the Governor went to the door and
called a servant.

"Find Lord Beckenham, Johnson, at once, and ask him to be so good as to
come to me here. Stay--on second thoughts I'll go and look for him
myself."

He went off, leaving us alone again to listen to the ticking of the
clock upon the mantelpiece, and to wonder what was going to happen next.
Five minutes went by and then ten, but still he did not return. When he
did so it was with a still more serious countenance.

"You are evidently right, gentlemen. Neither the spurious marquis, nor
his tutor, Mr. Baxter, can be found anywhere. I have discovered, too,
that all their valuables and light luggage have been smuggled out of the
house to-night without the knowledge of my servants. This is a terrible
business. But I have given instructions, and the police will be
communicated with at once. Now we must do our best to find the real
Beckenham."

"Lord Amberley," said Wetherell, in a choking voice, "do you think one
of your servants could tell my daughter to come to me at once? I am not
feeling very well."

The Governor hesitated a moment, and then said--

"I am sorry to say, Mr. Wetherell, your daughter left the House an hour
a