I bowed.

"That is conclusive," I remarked.

"It is remarkably inconclusive to me," Lord Chelsford remarked grimly.
"Whom else save one of your friends who are all upon the Board could you
possibly wish to shield?"

"That I even wish to do so," I answered, "is purely an assumption."

"You are fencing with me, young man," Lord Chelsford said grimly, "and
it is not worth while. Hush!"

There was a rap at the door downstairs. We heard the Duke's measured
tones.

"I understood that Lord Chelsford was here," he said.

"Lord Chelsford has left, your Grace," Grooton answered.

"And Mr. Hill?"

"He has been at the house all day, your Grace."

The Duke appeared to hesitate for a moment.

"Grooton," he said, "I rely upon you to see that Lord Cheisford has this
note shortly. I am going for a little walk, and shall probably return
this way. I wish you to understand that this note is for Lord
Chelsford's own hand."

"Certainly, your Grace."

"Not only that, Grooton, but the fact that I called here and left a
communication for Lord Chelsford is also--to be forgotten."

"I quite understand, your Grace," Grooton assured him.

The Duke struck a match, and a moment or two later we saw him strolling
along the cliff side, smoking a cigarette, his hands behind him, prim,
carefully dressed, walking with the measured ease of a man seeking an
appetite for his dinner. He was scarcely out of sight, and Lord
Chelsford was on the point of descending for his note, when my heart
gave a great leap. Lady Angela emerged from the plantation and crossed
the open space in front of the cottage with swift footsteps. Her hair
was streaming in the breeze as though she had been running, but there
was not a vestige of colour in her cheeks. Her eyes, too, were like the
eyes of a frightened child.

Lord Chelsford descended the stairs and himself admitted her.

"Why, Angela," he exclaimed, "you look as though you had seen a ghost.
Is anything the matter?"

"Oh, I am afraid so," she answered. "Have you seen my father?"

"Why?" he asked, fingering the note which Grooton had silently laid upon
the table.

"Something has happened!" she exclaimed. "I am sure of it. Last night
he came to me before dinner. He told me that Blenavon was in trouble.
It was necessary to send him money by a special messenger, by the only
person who knew his whereabouts. He gave me a packet, and he told me
that at a quarter-past twelve last night I was to be in my m