n which be
stated that he was working in his friend's interest, and hoped to
unearth the mystery of the conspiracy. This sounded plausible and meant
nothing--which was thoroughly characteristic of Mr. Vermont.

The cases at the Central Criminal Court were fortunately light ones, and
did not take long to settle, so that the interval between the acceptance
of bail and the date of the trial was a short one. There was, of course,
great excitement in the fashionable world over Adrien's sensational
arrest, but this the young man wisely ignored; taking refuge at
Barminster Castle from the curiosity and sympathy of friends and
reporters alike, and resolutely refusing to be interviewed.

One thing--so characteristic of him--Adrien did at once. Notwithstanding
his own cares, he remembered his promise to Ada Lester at the ball, and
instructed the solicitors to prepare a deed by which the money and the
rights of the Casket Theatre should be made over to her, and settled on
her at once; at the same time, ordering that the papers should be handed
to her personally, thus providing against any mistakes or interference
on the part of Jasper.

This kindly thought completely turned the scale of Ada's gratitude in
his favour. Rejoicing at the blow which she knew this would be to Mr.
Vermont, and in ignorance of his last treachery to Adrien, she
determined to show him up in his true colours at the first opportunity.

Meanwhile, as the day of the trial approached, Lord Barminster and
Mortimer Shelton became more and more anxious.

The solicitors had briefed the finest and best known barristers for the
defence; but one and all agreed that unless Adrien could prove an alibi,
only a miracle could save him from conviction.

On the actual day Adrien Leroy took his place in the dock, listening
through the day with unwearied calm to the long speeches made by the
counsel on both sides.

Witness after witness was called; but none could shake the evidence of
Harker's clerk, who swore to seeing Leroy actually sign the bill in
question, on the twenty-second of the preceding month.

Towards the end of the case, when both judge, jury and counsel were
tired out by the conflicting statements, a note was sent to the
barrister for the defence by a veiled lady, who had sat in the back of
the court during the whole day's proceedings.

He opened it carelessly, but after a swift glance at the few lines which
it contained, his face brightened. Resuming h