shall
know what I have discovered,' he said, 'if you will first put on your
hat and cloak, and come out with me.'

She was naturally surprised. 'Can you tell me your object in going
out?' she asked.

He owned what his object was unreservedly. 'I want, before all
things,' he said, 'to satisfy your mind and mine, on the subject of
Montbarry's death. I am going to take you to the doctor who attended
him in his illness, and to the consul who followed him to the grave.'

Her eyes rested on Henry gratefully. 'Oh, how well you understand me!'
she said. The manager joined them at the same moment, on his way up
the stairs. Henry gave him the key of the room, and then called to the
servants in the hall to have a gondola ready at the steps. 'Are you
leaving the hotel?' the manager asked. 'In search of evidence,' Henry
whispered, pointing to the key. 'If the authorities want me, I shall
be back in an hour.'

CHAPTER XXV

The day had advanced to evening. Lord Montbarry and the bridal party
had gone to the Opera. Agnes alone, pleading the excuse of fatigue,
remained at the hotel. Having kept up appearances by accompanying his
friends to the theatre, Henry Westwick slipped away after the first
act, and joined Agnes in the drawing-room.

'Have you thought of what I said to you earlier in the day?' he asked,
taking a chair at her side. 'Do you agree with me that the one
dreadful doubt which oppressed us both is at least set at rest?'

Agnes shook her head sadly. 'I wish I could agree with you, Henry--I
wish I could honestly say that my mind is at ease.'

The answer would have discouraged most men. Henry's patience (where
Agnes was concerned) was equal to any demands on it.

'If you will only look back at the events of the day,' he said, 'you
must surely admit that we have not been completely baffled. Remember
how Dr. Bruno disposed of our doubts:--"After thirty years of medical
practice, do you think I am likely to mistake the symptoms of death by
bronchitis?" If ever there was an unanswerable question, there it is!
Was the consul's testimony doubtful in any part of it? He called at
the palace to offer his services, after hearing of Lord Montbarry's
death; he arrived at the time when the coffin was in the house; he
himself saw the corpse placed in it, and the lid screwed down. The
evidence of the priest is equally beyond dispute. He remained in the
room with the coffin, reciting the prayers for the dead, until the