ut the man who will help Davlin carry out their last
scheme. No train shall leave the city on which he would, by any
possibility, set out for Bellair accompanied by this sham physician,
without the knowledge of our man, or men, of skill. All discoveries
made are to be reported, through you, to Mademoiselle Celine Leroque,
who will receive said reports in _propria persone_, at the Bellair
post-office. Then I must proffer a request, that Doctor Vaughan will
hold himself in readiness to come to Oakley, should I find it
necessary to summon him, accompanied by another physician, or not, as
shall be hereafter decided."

"I don't just see how all this is to end, but these two steps appear
to me to be in the right direction. I am ready to undertake your
commissions, and to act as your banker to the fullest extent of your
needs."

After a few more words they decided that, as Claire did not return,
and time was precious, they would order a carriage immediately after
luncheon, and pay a visit to the detective forthwith. Accordingly,
half an hour earlier than usual, a light repast was served, and
sparingly partaken of. Then having left a message for Miss Keith, who
was momentarily expected, the two friends drove into the city.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE HAND OF FRIENDSHIP WIELDS THE SURGEON'S KNIFE.

Returning two hours later, they found Claire impatiently waiting their
arrival, radiantly beautiful, and overflowing with joy at sight of her
beloved Madeline.

"You delightfully horrible girl!" she exclaimed, after greetings had
been exchanged, and they had all seated themselves in the
drawing-room. "To think that you are growing more lovely every day,
and that you go and hide all your beauty under an old fright of a wig,
nasty blue spectacles, and deformities of jackets! I declare, it's too
bad! And then to wait on an old spinster who wears no end of false
hair, and false teeth, and false--"

"Puzzled already. So much for not being a lady's maid; Now, I can
enumerate every 'falsehood' assumed by that lady."

Then Madeline gave a ludicrous description of Miss Arthur and her
peculiarities, causing even grave Olive to laugh heartily, and Claire
to exclaim that she should watch the advertisements, and try playing
ladies' maid herself.

Madeline once more recounted, in brief, the state of affairs now
existing at Oakley, or as much as she had told Olive, during which
recital impulsive Claire kept up a running fire of comments