r lived at Bombay
and cut a social figure. They posed as wealthy aristocrats, and Paul was
lionized. He seemed haughty, but paid for information about eligible
heiresses. Both were very much interested in a rich Englishman and his
handsome niece. It was rumored that a marriage had been arranged between
these young people. The Englishman and old Pierre took a trip to
Calcutta together. About the time of their expected return, both Paul
and the girl disappeared. It was sure they did not sail from Bombay. The
whole affair is shrouded in mystery, but it is reasonably certain that
William Dodge and Paul Lanier are somewhere in or near Bombay. Pierre is
being shadowed in Calcutta.

This was the substance of London advices previous to the arrests.

That these are honest reports Sir Donald has no doubt. There has been
time for both Paul and William Dodge to have sailed from Bombay, but Sir
Donald is sure that a mistake has been made. The only evidence of Dodge
ever having been in Bombay is that his wife wrote him there, while her
husband was actually at Paris. Too, he had learned from Mrs. Dodge that
for many weeks Paul has been disguised in Calcutta.

The whole matter is much tangled, and Sir Donald doubts the efficiency
of those employed to unravel this web.

The Laniers are puzzled and greatly alarmed. Their captors do not deign
to explain. To all indignant protests these reserved officials are
evasive. Threats are jokingly parried.

The prisoners are separately jailed. No communication is permitted
between them. Days pass without any visits, except for bringing of
meals. There is manifested no disposition to engage any of the three in
talk upon the subject of their arrests.

William Dodge doubts not that Sir Donald Randolph has betrayed his
trust. Though neither of the Laniers nor Dodge had seen him on the day
of the arrests, yet all knew he was in Calcutta. The Laniers in disguise
frequently had passed him and Esther on the streets.

This indefinite waiting is most trying to the nerves of all. Neither
Pierre nor Paul knew what action was taken with Dodge. Both imagined
that he was being pumped. Neither knew but that the other was undergoing
some sort of prying ordeal.

William Dodge wondered that no one talked to him. Perhaps the Laniers
had accused him of the Thames murders. The bringing of that suit in his
name, death of Alice Webster, dismissal of the case, with subsequent
skulking, aliases and disguises, would