f the other. He had told me where he lodged,
among the number who were housed within the grounds; and we had agreed
to dine together at an early date at a place which he had recommended
in reply to my inquiry after a satisfactory place to dine within the
walls of the Fair. He had dined there regularly, he assured me, and I
was glad to know this, for I foresaw that I might need his help in the
defence of Miss Jenrys and her interests, and I could not know too
much of his whereabouts.

'Till we meet and wine and dine,' I said flippantly, upon leaving him,
little dreaming how soon and in what manner we were to meet again.

As I left the Plaisance the handsome guard was still the subject of my
thoughts. That he had told me the truth concerning his interview with
the brunette I did not doubt, but was it the whole truth?

All that he had rehearsed to me could have been said in much less than
half the time she had spent in brisk conversation with the guard,
whose part seemed to have been that of listener.

Not that I had any right to demand or expect his full confidence;
still, why had he withheld it; and what was it that the brunette had
slipped into his hand at parting?

Another thing, we had planned to dine together soon, and he knew that
I was, or seemed to be, quite at leisure, while he would be relieved
from duty very soon, and yet--well, he had certainly not grasped at
the opportunity.

I did not expect to meet Brainerd until a late hour, and I had decided
to do nothing further in the matter of the Trent disappearance until
we could talk it over. In fact, there was little to be done until I
had seen Miss Jenrys and her aunt, and reported to them, as I had
engaged to do at seven o'clock. At this hour I called and made my
meagre report, which, however, was better than nothing, as the ladies
were good enough to declare.

They had remained at home all day, and late in the afternoon received
a message from Miss O'Neil. The picture, it assured her, would be sent
at once.

A little to my surprise, I found that the ladies were prepared to go
to town in company with Monsieur Voisin, to hear a famous monologue
artist. He had persuaded them, Miss Jenrys said, rather against their
wishes, but they had at last decided that this would be better than to
pass the evening as they had already passed the day, in useless
speculation, discussion, and anxiety.

Of course I agreed with them; but I came away early, not caring to
en