usin, the Duke of Alva." She walked behind the two
men, comparing them keenly: the deadly parallel column was not at all
unfavorable to the insouciant Kentuckian.

"Glad to know you," volunteered Jarvis. "Have a cigarette?"

"I never smoke in the presence of ladies," retorted the Duke. Then with
a patronizing air he added: "I am honored to meet you, sir, if you are
in my royal cousin's employ. So, you are interested in the castle?"

"Oh, not so much in the castle as in the ghost. I'll attend to him."

"And is that your regular profession?"

"You are a good guesser, my dear Duke. That is my business--solving
mysteries--locking up family skeletons--chasing spooks and putting salt
on their tails. We have a professional name for it in the United
States."

"And what is that, sir?" asked Carlos, uncertain whether to be
affronted or to draw out this strange bird to a confidence. A quick
glance at his cousin's immobile face gave him no hint.

Jarvis continued amiably.

"We are living in an age of specialists. You have doubtless heard of
Farley the Strike Breaker, of Roosevelt the Trust Breaker. I forgot to
bring my business cards with me; but if I may be so immodest as to tell
the truth, I am known from Bowling Green to the Golden Gate as Warren
the Ghost Breaker!"

[Illustration: "_I am known from Bowling Green to the Golden Gate, as
Warren the Ghost Breaker_"]

This astounding news fairly took the Duke off his feet. He mentally
clawed the air for his equilibrium.

"_Madre de Dios!_" ejaculated the Duke, dropping his sword-cane. As he
recovered from his astonishment, the Princess interceded: "I am so glad
you came. I promised the Ghost Breaker that you would join us shortly.
You will be able to tell him, so much better than I, of all the strange
circumstances. I have only given him a rough outline of what happened
up to the time I left my brother on his way to the castle."

Carlos sank into a chair, irritated at the American's disinterested
lack of courtesy: Jarvis had not even risen from his seat on the trunk.
Somehow or other Carlos despised that trunk!

"I will be delighted to throw any possible light on the mystery of the
castle. But first let us leave your brother in peace, to let me know
why you came to America?"

Maria Theresa drew the locket from her reticule.

"This is what brought me."

"May I see it?" and the Duke held out his hand, ingratiatingly. "What a
charming old antique!"

"No, Carlos. R