ht to have been
at Rowchester long ago. We are too near neighbours, though, not to see
something of one another again before long."

"Well, I'm sure there's no need to hurry so," Mrs. Moyat declared,
backing out of the room. "Blanche, you see if you can't persuade Mr.
Ducaine. Father'll be home early this evening, too."

"I think," Blanche said, "that Mr. Ducaine has made up his mind."

She walked with me to the hall door, but she declined to shake hands
with me. Her appearance was little short of tragic. I think that at
another time I might have been amused, for never in my life had I spoken
more than a few courteous words to the girl. But my nerves were all on
edge, and I took her seriously. I walked down the street, leaving her
standing in the threshold with the door open as though anxious to give
me a chance to return if I would. I looked back at the corner, and
waved my hand. There was something almost threatening in the grim
irresponsive figure, standing watching me, and making no pretence at
returning my farewell--watching me with steady eyes and close-drawn
brows.

CHAPTER XXIII

MOSTYN RAY EXPLAINS

I walked straight to the House, and locked up my papers in the great
safe. I had hoped to escape without seeing either Ray or Lady Angela,
but as I crossed the hall they issued from the billiard-room. Lady
Angela turned towards me eagerly.

"Mr. Ducaine," she exclaimed, "have you seen anything of Lord Blenavon
to-day?"

I shook my head.

"I have not seen him for several days, Lady Angela," I answered.

Ray said something to her which I could not hear. She nodded and left
us together.

"It seems," he said, "that this amiable young gentleman is more or less
in the clutches of our siren friend at Braster Grange. I think that you
and I had better go and dig him out."

"Thank you," I answered, "but I had all I wanted of Braster Grange last
night."

"Pooh!" he answered lightly, "you are not even scratched. They are
clumsy conspirators there. I think that you and I are a match for them.
Come along!"

"You must excuse me, Colonel Ray," I said, "but I have no desire to
visit Braster Grange, even with you."

Lady Angela, whose crossing the hall had been noiseless, suddenly
interposed.

"You are quite right, Mr. Ducaine," she said; "but this is no visit of
courtesy, is it? I am sure that my brother would never stay there
voluntarily. Something must have happened to him."

"We will go and see," Ray