made one statement of
extraordinary gravity. He was concerned with the mystery of the Grey
Room, and believed that he might throw some light upon the melancholy
incidents recorded concerning it.

Sir Walter hesitated for Mary's sake, but was relieved when she
suggested a prompt return.

"It would be folly to delay," she said. "This means quite as much to me
as to you, father, and I could not go to Como knowing there may be even
the least gleam of light for us at home. Nothing can alter the past, but
if it were possible to explain how and why--what an unutterable relief
to us both!"

"Henry was to meet us at Menaggio."

"He will be as thankful as we are if anything comes of this. He doesn't
leave England till Thursday, and can join us at Chadlands instead."

"I only live to explain these things," confessed her father. "I would
give all that I have to discover reasons for the death of your dear
husband. But there are terribly grave hints here. I can hardly imagine
this man is justified in speaking of 'crime.' Would the word mean less
to him than to us?"

"He writes perfect English. Whatever may be in store, we must face it
hopefully. Such things do not happen by chance."

"He is evidently a gentleman--a man of refinement and delicate feeling.
I am kindly disposed to him already. There is something chivalric and
what is called 'old-fashioned' in his expressions. No young man writes
like this nowadays."

The letter, which both read many times, revealed the traits that Sir
Walter declared. It was written with Latin courtesy and distinction.
There were also touches of humor in it, which neither he nor Mary
perceived:

"Claridge's Hotel, London. April 9.

"Dear Sir Walter Lennox,--In common with the rest of the
world that knows England, I have recently been profoundly
interested and moved at the amazing events reported as
happening at Chadlands, in the County of Devon, under your
roof. The circumstances were related in Italian journals
with no great detail, but I read them in the 'Times'
newspaper, being familiar with your language and a great
lover of your country.

"I had already conceived the idea of communicating with you
when--so small is the world in this our time--accident
actually threw me into the society of one of your personal
friends. At an entertainment given by the British Ambassador
at Rome, a young soldier, one Colonel Vane, was abl