assistant to Uncle
Thomas. Then during the following weeks nothing was heard. We began to
worry, fearing some accident had happened. Perhaps he had fallen victim
to Lanier vengeance. This would be most unfortunate for me. Sufficient
facts already had been discovered upon which to base actions against
Pierre Lanier for frauds upon the estate of my father, and for that
London conspiracy involving the suit begun by William Dodge. I could not
think of such notoriety until the Thames assaults and murder were
cleared, and never would risk public scandal among friends in London.

"These were the motives inducing uncle to advise that Pierre and Paul
be released from Calcutta imprisonment. Too, the murder of Oswald
Langdon must be avenged."

Sir Donald smiled at Alice's earnest explanations, but awaited her
story's ending.

"At length came a letter from London informing Uncle Thomas of Lanier
arrivals and shadowings by his old-time helper. We soon after sailed for
England. Full details were given by that assistant, and with much zeal
Uncle Thomas resumed his former work.

"Much of the time I kept out of public view, lodging at the obscure inn.

"Pierre seldom left the basement room at night, but Paul then made many
strange excursions, often prowling up and down the Thames.

"The assistant began to notice queer freaks in Paul's conduct. The first
evidences of these were after their return to London.

"The reports startled me, as it seemed Paul feared I yet might rise from
the river, and that he was determined to prevent it. Many nights Paul
would skulk along the river-banks and peer over into the Thames from the
place where we had been struck into the stream. Later he took boat-rides
up and down the river, past this spot, closely scrutinizing projecting
shrubs until opposite the rustic seat, when, rowing back and forth
across the river, Paul would pause and strike at some reflection from
the water, then be seated and drift downstream.

"As these incidents were related by that assistant and Uncle Thomas, I
felt horrible dread. This craze of Paul's seemed almost a judgment upon
my head. Such determined malice against the girl he had slain, yet
feared still might rise from her slimy grave, was beyond belief, yet I
could not doubt the evidences. My curiosity was increased, and I felt a
strong desire to witness Paul's new infatuation. In male disguise I
watched from hiding some of this madman's night performances upon and
al