jorrocks! the
outlook began to alarm him.

Meanwhile Mr. Greenacre was pursuing a laudable object. Greatly pleased
at the dexterity with which Miss Sparkes had been hoodwinked in the
matter of Lord Polperro and her Uncle Clover, he determined to set all
at rest in that direction by making Polly believe that Mr. Clover, her
uncle himself as distinct from Lord Polperro, was also dead and gone
and done for. Gammon knew of the design and strongly favoured it, for
he was annoyed by Mrs. Clover's false position; he wished her to be
proclaimed a widow, without the necessity of disagreeable revelations.

An exciting post card brought about one more interview between Miss
Sparkes and the so-called private detective. They met in a spot chosen
for its impressiveness, the City office of a great line of ocean
steamers. When Polly had with some difficulty discovered the place and
entered shyly she was met by Greenacre, who at once drew her aside and
began talking in a whisper with much show of worry and perturbation. In
his hand rustled a printed form, with a few words in pencil.

"It's all over, Miss Sparkes. We have no more hope. This last cable
settles it. Don't let me agitate you. But I thought it best that you
should come here and see the cable for yourself." Sinking his voice and
with his lips at her ear he added, "Your uncle is dead."

Polly was not overcome.

"Is it _reely_ him this time?"

"Clover--not a doubt of it. I got on his track, but too late, he was
off to South Africa. Here is a cable from the Cape. He died at
sea--some obscure disease, probably an affection of the heart--and was
buried off the West Coast. Read it for yourself. 'Clover, second cabin
passenger, died and buried 23.4 S., 8.2 S.; effects await
instructions.' There he lies at the bottom of the sea, poor fellow.
This is only a confirmatory cable; I have spent lots of money in
learning particulars. Perhaps you would like to see one of the
officials about it, Miss Sparkes? Unfortunately they can only repeat
what I have told you."

Polly had no desire to hold converse with these gentlemen; she was
thoroughly awed and convinced by Greenacre's tones and the atmosphere
of the office.

"I have already communicated with your aunt. I dare say you would like
to go and see her."

But neither for this had Polly any present inclination. She wanted to
be alone and to reflect. Having made sure that she was not likely to
visit Mrs. Clover forthwith, Greenacre