So Beatrice was to be lured there for some
reason, or other, and Berrington was to be used for the purpose. He
threw the pen down and determined that he would do nothing in the
matter. He had barely come to this conclusion when the whistle in the
tube sounded very faintly. It might have been no more than the wind in
the pipe, and yet on the other hand it might have been meant for a
cautious message. Berrington crossed over and asked a question in a low
voice. Immediately a reply came in the faintest possible whisper.

"It is I who speak," the voice said. "Mary, you know. By accident I have
a chance of a few words with you again. My brother thinks that I am in
ignorance of everything. He told me that you had left the house and that
everybody had gone. At the same time he declined to have the servants
back yet, and that aroused my suspicions. You can hear me?"

"My dearest girl, I can hear you perfectly well," Berrington replied.
"Where is your brother now? Can you speak freely to me for a time?"

"For a minute or two perhaps, certainly not more. Carl has gone into the
conservatory for something; he may be back almost at once. He told me
that you had gone. I did not believe it for a minute, so I watched and
listened. Then I found out that you were a prisoner here; I found out
all about the letter."

"The letter to Beatrice Darryll, you mean?"

"Yes, yes. Don't ask me why they desire to get her here, because I can't
tell you,--I don't know. But there is something about Burmah and ruby
mines that I fail to understand. It has something to do with Sir
Charles Darryll and Miss Violet Decie's father."

"Shall we ever get to the bottom of this business!" Berrington
exclaimed. "But why should you particularly want me to write that
letter?"

"Because I shall be chosen as the messenger," the girl said eagerly.
"There are no servants here; the rest of my brother's friends are busy
elsewhere. I gather that the letter is urgent; that being the case, I
shall be chosen to take it. You see, I am supposed to know nothing
whatever about it. I shall be able to see Miss Darryll myself."

Berrington expressed his appreciation of the suggestion. Perhaps Mary
might find herself in a position to do more than that.

"Very well," he said. "Under the circumstances I am to write that letter
with the understanding that you are going to convey it to its
destination and warn Miss Darryll. But you must do more than that, Mary.
It is impossible