e that?"

"Yes. Dane saw him in Bournemouth. I told him to call with a note, which
I gave him. Dane did not know why he was sent, and when he discovered
that Steel was a detective, he became afraid. I believe he told
something, but he afterwards ran away."

"He doesn't trust you any longer perhaps," said the Princess.

"From his attitude last night I think he does, although he was a trifle
reproachful. He will come if Steel has written a letter to call him here
in my name. Then I daresay he will be able to explain why he took Anne
away."

"Will he do so?"

"Ah! that is what we must find out." Olga paused, then continued. "I
wanted Steel to learn all he could from Dane about Denham, as I wish to
see that man arrested."

"Nothing would give me greater pleasure," cried the Princess.

"I thought of that. Denham tried to ruin your mother."

"And he did--he did!" she said bitterly.

"He tried, or rather he is trying, to ruin Anne also," said Olga. "For
these reasons I wish Steel to find evidence against him, so that he may
be arrested and made to confess his wickedness. Dane is the one who can
tell most about him, and I think Dane will, for since Denham got the
Powell money he had not behaved very well."

While they were thus talking a knock came to the door. The servant
entered with a card, which she presented on a salver to her mistress.
Olga, who was thoroughly worn out, took it languidly, then suddenly
became excited. "He is here!" she said. "Mark Dane is here!"

CHAPTER XXIII

MARK DANE

When Olga announced the name of her visitor, the Princess rose to leave
the room. She explained that she did not think it was in keeping with
the dignity of her position to meet every shady person who called, and
added that her daughter was not behaving in a way worthy of her name and
princely family. When she departed Olga looked inquiringly at Ware. He
swiftly interpreted her look.

"I shall stop," he said promptly. "I am only too anxious to help you."

Olga came forward and took his hand. "And you forgive me?" she asked.

"There is nothing to forgive," he answered, shaking it heartily. "Let us
seek for Anne together. I daresay Dane will be able to tell us where she
is. I leave you to manage him."

The girl nodded and touched the bell. Shortly the maid showed in a slim
young fellow of a somewhat effeminate type. He was clean-shaven and
wonderfully pale, with large dark eyes and curly black hair, worn rather