tered by the back, and made my way across the great hall, which was
still invaded by domestics with brushes and brooms. Taking a small key
from my watch-chain, I unfastened the door of a room almost behind the
staircase, and pushed it open. The curtains were drawn, and the room
itself, therefore, almost in darkness. I carefully locked myself in,
and turned up the electric light.

The apartment was a small one, and contained only a few pieces of heavy
antique furniture. Behind the curtains were iron shutters. In one
corner was a strong safe. I walked to it, and for the first time I
permitted myself to think of the combination word. Slowly I fitted it
together, and the great door swung open.

There were several padlocked dispatch-boxes, and, on a shelf above, a
bundle of folded papers. I took this bundle carefully out and laid it
on the table before me. I was on the point of undoing the red tape with
which it was tied, when my fingers became suddenly rigid. I stared at
the packet with wide-open eyes. I felt my breath come short and my
brain reeling. The papers were there sure enough, but it was not at
them that I was looking. It was the double knot in the pink tape which
fascinated me.

CHAPTER X

AN EXPRESSION OF CONFIDENCE

I have no exact recollection of how long I spent in that little room.
After a while I closed the door safe, and reset the combination lock
with trembling fingers. Then I searched all round, but could find no
traces of any recent intruder. I undid the heavy shutters, and let in a
stream of sunshine. Outside, Ray and Lady Angela were strolling up and
down the terrace. I watched the latter with fascinated eyes. It was
from her that this strange warning had come to me, this warning which as
yet was only imperfectly explained. What did she know? Whom did she
suspect? Was it possible that she, a mere child, had even the
glimmering of a suspicion as to the truth? My eyes followed her every
movement. She walked with all the lightsome grace to which her young
limbs and breeding entitled her, her head elegantly poised on her
slender neck, her face mostly turned towards her companion, to whom she
was talking earnestly. Even at this distance I seemed to catch the
inspiring flash of her dark eyes, to follow the words which fell from
her lips so gravely. And as I watched a new idea came to me. I turned
slowly away and went in search of the Duke.

I found him sitting fully dressed in an anteroom leading