n. It is sufficient to
say that Detective Setter questioned and cross-questioned the girl with
all the skill of an old and experienced hand, and at the end of half an
hour's sharp and close examination, he had obtained no new information.

The girl was dismissed, with a warning not to talk of the affair. And she
was followed by the housekeeper, with no better result.

Thus all the domestics of the establishment were called and examined
singly; but without success.

When the last servant was done with, and sent out of the room, the
detective walked up to the duke.

"Well, Mr. Setter?" inquired the latter.

"Your grace, I have learned nothing from the servants but what you have
already told me."

"Do you still wish to search the premises?"

"If your grace pleases. And I wish to begin with the apartments of the
duchess."

"Then follow me. I myself will be your guide," said the duke, leading the
way from the library.

It would be useless to accompany the detective in this third search.
Let it be sufficient to say that this search was thorough, complete,
exhaustive, and--unsuccessful.

It was late in the day when it was finished, and the duke and the
detective returned to the library.

"You now perceive Mr. Setter, that a day has been lost in these repeated
searchings and questionings, and no new information, no sign of a clew to
the fate of the duchess has been gained. In an hour I must leave the
house to catch the Great Northern Night Express. I leave--I am
_forced_ for the present, to leave the fate of my beloved wife in
your hands. In saying that, I say that I leave more than my own life in
your keeping. Use every means, employ every agency, spend money freely,
the day you bring her safely to me, I will deposit ten thousand pounds in
the Bank of England to your account."

"Your grace is munificent. If the duchess is on earth, I will find
her;--not for the reward only, though it is certainly a very great
inducement to a poor man with a large family; but for the love and honor
I bear your grace and the late Sir Lemuel Levison," said the detective,
earnestly, as he bowed and took leave.

The first dinner-bell rang.

The duke hastened to his own room, not to dress for dinner, but to
prepare for his night journey to Scotland.

He ordered his valet to pack a valise with all that would be necessary
for a few days' absence, and then sent him to call a close cab.

By this time the second dinner-bell rang, and