han can be conceived by the most fantastic
imagination of an author. Look at this talk of ours--it began with words
of love and marriage speeches, and it ends with a discussion of murder.
But this I say, Lucian, that if you love me, and would have me marry
you, you must find out the truth of these matters. Learn if this dead
man is my father--for from what you have told me of the lost finger I do
not believe that he is. Hunt down the assassin, and discover if he is
whom I believe him to be--Ferruci himself; and learn, if you can, what
Lydia has to do with all these evil matters. Do this, and I am yours.
Refuse, and I shall not marry you!"

"You set me a hard task," said Lucian, with a sigh, "and I hardly know
how to set about it."

"Be guided by me," replied Diana. "Go up to London and put an
advertisement in the papers offering a reward for the discovery of my
father. He is of medium height, with grey hair, and has a clean-shaven
face, with a scar on it----"

"You describe the dead man, Diana."

"But he has not lost a finger," continued Diana, as though she had not
heard him. "If my father, for fear of Lydia, is in hiding, he will come
to you or me in answer to that advertisement."

"But he must have seen the report of his death by violence in the
papers, if indeed he is alive," urged Lucian, at his wit's end.

"My father is weak in the head, and perhaps was afraid to come out in
the midst of such trouble. But if you put in the advertisement that
I--his daughter--am in England, he will come to me, for with me he knows
he is safe. Also call on Dr. Jorce, and find out the truth about Signor
Ferruci."

"And then?"

"Then when you have done these two things we shall see what will come of
them. Promise me to do what I ask you."

"I promise," said Lucian, taking her hand, "but you send me on a
wild-goose chase."

"That may be, Lucian, but my heart--my
presentiment--my--instinct--whatever you like to call it--tells me
otherwise. Now let us go inside."

"Shall we tell Miss Barbar of our engagement?" asked Denzil timidly.

"No; you will tell no one of that until we learn the truth of this
conspiracy. When we do, Lucian, you will find that my father is not dead
but is alive, and will be at our wedding."

"I doubt it--I doubt it."

"I am sure of it," answered Diana, and slipping her hand within the arm
of her lover she walked with him up to the house. It was the strangest
of wooings.

Miss Barbar, with a true