is office, and spending as
many of his evenings and his Sundays at Mrs. Luttrell's as he dared.

But though the young man had worn himself almost to a shadow by his
efforts, he felt that the realization of his hopes was as far off as
ever. Madeleine had told him that she would not marry him until the
mystery of her father's murder was cleared up and the guilty parties
brought to justice, and he was becoming more and more afraid that she
would keep her word. In vain he implored her to consider the living
rather than the dead, and not to wreck his life and her own for what,
after all, was but a sentiment.

But though she listened to his entreaties and was always kind and
gentle, she remained inflexible in her resolve. Merriman felt that
his only plan, failing the discovery of Mr. Coburn's assassin, was
unobtrusively to keep as much as possible in her company, in the hope
that she would grow accustomed to his presences and perhaps in time come
to need it.

Under these circumstances his anxiety as to the progress of the case was
very great, and on several occasions he had written to Willis asking
him how his inquiry was going on. But the inspector had not been
communicative, and Merriman had no idea how matters actually stood.

It was therefore with feelings of pleasurable anticipation that he
received a telephone call from Willis at Scotland Yard.

"I have just returned from Bordeaux," the inspector said, "and I am
anxious to have a chat with Miss Coburn on some points that have arisen.
I should be glad of your presence also, if possible. Can you arrange an
interview?"

"Do you want her to come to town?"

"Not necessarily; I will go to EASTBOURNE if more convenient. But our
meeting must be kept strictly secret. The syndicate must not get to
know."

Merriman felt excitement and hope rising within him.

"Better go to EASTBOURNE then," he advised. "Come down with me tonight
by the 5.20 from Victoria."

"No," Willis answered, "we mustn't be seen together. I shall meet you at
the corner of the Grand Parade and Carlisle Road at nine o'clock."

This being agreed on, both men began to make their arrangements. In
Merriman's case these consisted in throwing up his work at the office
and taking the first train to EASTBOURNE. At five o'clock he was asking
for Miss Coburn at Mrs. Luttrell's door.

"Dear Madeleine," he said, when he had told her his news, "you must not
begin to expect things. It may mean nothing at all. D