ntents? He
picked it up; turning it over and over in his hand. To his intense
delight it was but lightly sealed, and by dint of a little care the
letter was safely opened, uninjured and unsoiled.

It was from Lady Constance, stating that she and Miss Penelope were to
spend the day shopping in London, and would be at Barminster House at
eleven o'clock.

It was quite a short note, and Jasper, smiling wickedly, sealed it up.
He knew there was no fear of discovery, for there was not a more
unsuspicious man living than Leroy. His mind was working rapidly,
seeking to mature a plan by which he could separate Leroy and Lady
Constance still further.

First of all, he continued to search through the letters, pocketing
those which were obviously bills. He looked at the last one with a sigh.

"Not here," he mused. "I should know her handwriting in a moment. Yet I
am positive he has gone with her. She must have let him know by letter
this morning. Can he have taken it with him?"

His eye caught a scrap of torn paper in the fireplace. Like a bird of
prey, he pounced on it, and untwisting it, his small eyes glittered as
he read.

"Ah!" he muttered. "Lit his cigar with it, and burned all save one
corner--Hampton. Yes, that's it; under cover of Lady Rose they've
betaken themselves to the river. Now what shall I do? Follow them, or
see Lady Constance, or do both?"

Placing the scrap of paper carefully in his pocketbook he left the flat,
and made his way to Barminster House. He had called presumably in order
to see after some slight alterations then being made, and his surprise
on finding Miss Penelope and Lady Constance established there was
beautiful to witness.

On his entry into the drawing room, Lady Constance sprang up eagerly,
regarding him as the forerunner of the man she loved; and Jasper smiled
as he greeted them respectfully.

"This is an unexpected pleasure, Lady Constance," he exclaimed. "I had
no idea you were coming to town."

"It's only for the day, Mr. Vermont," she returned as calmly as
possible. "But I wrote to Adrien, for auntie, telling him all about it."

"Dear, dear!" ejaculated Mr. Vermont sympathetically. "I have just come
from his chambers. I learned that he had gone out for the day."

"For the day," said Miss Penelope, "after reading our letter!"

"Perhaps he didn't get it in time," suggested Lady Constance.

"Poor Adrien," said Jasper with apparent reluctance. "I'm afraid I
cannot even allow h