id Lucian restlessly, for he
thought how grieved Diana would be.

"I hope not," answered Link curtly, "but there's no knowing. However, if
the old man does get into trouble he can plead insanity. His having been
in the asylum of Jorce is a strong card for him to play. Good-day, Mr.
Denzil. I'll see you to-night at nine o'clock sharp."

"Good-day," replied Lucian, and the pair parted for the time being.

Lucian did not go near Diana that day. In the first place, he did not
wish to see Lydia, for whom he had no great love; and in the second, he
was afraid to speak to Diana as to the possibility of her father being
Wrent.

Diana, as a good daughter should, held firmly to the idea that her
father could not behave in such a way; and as a sensible woman, she did
not think that a man with so few of his senses about him could have
acted the dual part with which he was credited without, in some measure,
betraying himself.

Lucian was somewhat of this opinion himself, yet he had an uneasy
feeling that Vrain might prove to be the culprit. The fact of Vrain's
being often away from Mrs. Clear's house in Bayswater, and Wrent absent
in the same way from Mrs. Bensusan's house in Jersey Street, appeared
strange, and argued a connection between the two. Again, the resemblance
between them was most extraordinary and unaccountable.

On the whole, Lucian was not satisfied in his mind as to what would be
the end of the matter, and had he known Mrs. Clear's address he would
have gone to question her about it. But only Link knew where the woman
was to be found, and kept that information to himself--especially from
Denzil. Now that he had the reins once more in his hands, he did not
intend that the barrister should take them again.

Punctual to the minute, Link, in a state of subdued excitement, came to
Lucian's rooms. Already he had sent his two policemen over to the house,
into which he had instructed them to enter in the quietest and most
unostentatious manner, and now came to escort the barrister across.

Lucian put on his hat at once, and the two walked out into the dark
night, for dark it was, with no moon, few stars, and a great many
clouds. A most satisfactory night for their purpose.

"All the better," said Link, casting a look round the deserted square;
"all the better for our little game. I wish to secure this fellow as
quietly as possible. Here's the door open--in with you, Mr. Denzil!"

According to instructions, a polic