o ever hired a spy
to watch herself," she mused with a little laugh. "I begin to think that
I _am_ an absurd creature, throughout."

Two days passed, and Constance endured them, although the hours crept
slowly. On the third, her anxiety was almost beyond control.

If Bathurst should fail her! If her letter had not found him! If he were
absent from the city! Oh, what a chance was here for disaster. Mr.
Belknap would soon be in the field, and Ray's time had almost expired.

"Oh," she said, anxiously, "if he disappoints me, what _shall_ I do. I
must trust Ray, and will he be strong enough to battle with this
danger?"

While she mused thus, growing wild with anxiety, a half grown boy,
bearing on his head a small tray of delicate ivory carvings, was
applying for admittance at the servants' entrance. He was shabbily
dressed, but possessed a fine, intelligent face, and bore himself with
cool confidence.

"I have brought the carving for Miss Wardour," he said, briskly. "Can I
see her, please?"

Nelly hesitated.

"She expects me," said the boy, quickly; "and, as I am a little late, I
would like to show her the wares and be off, for I've more to sell in
the village. Just tell her it's the chap she's looking for."

Constance stared in surprise when Nelly delivered this message.

"The chap I am looking for," she repeated slowly; then, with a sudden
brightening of her whole face, she added: "Oh, to be sure? I had almost
forgotten. Send him here, at once, Nelly."

"I hope you will excuse me," began the boy, apologetically; then, as
Nelly closed the door, he dropped his voice, and said, "I come from Mr.
Bathurst;" and, taking off his cap, he produced from thence a letter,
which he put in her hand.

[Illustration: "I hope you'll excuse me."]

"I'm to wait for the answer," he said, and took up his position beside
his wares.

Constance opened the letter, with a hand trembling with eagerness. It
ran:

MISS WARDOUR:--By all means keep the secret of the diamonds, and
trust all to me. I think it best not to come to you, as Belknap
keeps a constant watch upon your movements; dismiss him as soon as
you like. Have no fears regarding Heath, I have his enemies well
roped; be assured that I shall be on hand when needed, and when you
see me expect to have the question of the diamond mystery forever
set at rest. If you have anything to say, send verbal instructions
by boy; he is to be truste