nt has gone with him."

Diana and Lucian looked at one another, and the former spoke: "That is
strange," she said. "I agree with Mr. Denzil, it is peculiar, to say the
least of it, that an Italian noble should make a bosom friend of a man
so far inferior to him in position. Don't you think so yourself, Mr.
Link?"

"Madam," said Link gravely, "I think nothing about it, save that you
will never find out the truth. I have tried my best, and failed; and I
am confident enough in my own power to say that where I have failed no
one else will succeed. Miss Vrain, Mr. Denzil, I wish you good-day."

And with this bragging speech, which revealed the hurt vanity of the
man, Mr. Link took his departure. Lucian held his peace, for in the face
of this desertion of a powerful ally he did not know what to say. Diana
walked to the sitting-room window and watched Link disappear into the
crowd of passers-by. At that she heaved a sigh, for with him--she
thought--went every chance of learning the truth, since if he, an
experienced person in such matters, turned back from the quest, there
could assuredly be no help in any one not professional, and with less
trained abilities.

Then she turned to Lucian.

"There is nothing more to be done, I suppose," said she, sighing again.

"I am afraid not," replied Lucian dismally, for he was quite of her
opinion regarding the desertion of the detective.

"Then I must leave this unknown assassin to the punishment of God!" said
Diana quietly. "And I can only thank you for all you have done for me,
Mr. Denzil, and say"--she hesitated and blushed, then added, with some
emphasis--"say _au revoir_."

"Ah!" ejaculated Denzil, with an indrawn breath of relief, "I am glad
you did not say good-bye."

"I don't wish to say it, Mr. Denzil. I have not so many friends in the
world that I can afford to lose so good a one as yourself."

"I am content," said Lucian softly, "that you should think of me as your
friend--for the present."

His meaning was so unmistakable that Diana, still blushing, and somewhat
confused, hastened to prevent his saying more at so awkward a moment.
"Then as my friend I hope you will come and see me at Berwin Manor."

"I shall be delighted. When do you go down?"

"Within a fortnight. I must remain that time in town to see my lawyer
about the estate left by my poor father."

"And see Mrs. Vrain?"

"No," replied Diana coldly. "Now that my father is dead, Mrs. Vrain is
nothing to