eiving that an explanation was unavoidable, Dr. Cumberly outlined
the story of the night's gruesome happenings, whilst Big Ben began to
chime the hour of one.

Helen, eager-eyed, and with her charming face rather pale, hung upon
every word of the narrative.

"And now," concluded her father, "you must go to bed. I insist."

"But father!" cried the girl--"there is some thing"...

She hesitated, uneasily.

"Well, Helen, go on," said the doctor.

"I am afraid you will refuse."

"At least give me the opportunity."

"Well--in the glimpse, the half-glimpse, which I had of her, I
seemed"...

Dr. Cumberly rested his hands upon his daughter's shoulders
characteristically, looking into the troubled gray eyes.

"You don't mean," he began...

"I thought I recognized her!" whispered the girl.

"Good God! can it be possible?"

"I have been trying, ever since, to recall where we had met, but without
result. It might mean so much"...

Dr. Cumberly regarded her, fixedly.

"It might mean so much to--Mr. Leroux. But I suppose you will say it is
impossible?"

"It IS impossible," said Dr. Cumberly firmly; "dismiss the idea, Helen."

"But father," pleaded the girl, placing her hands over his own,
"consider what is at stake"...

"I am anxious that you should not become involved in this morbid
business."

"But you surely know me better than to expect me to faint or become
hysterical, or anything silly like that! I was certainly shocked when
I came down to-night, because--well, it was all so frightfully
unexpected"...

Dr. Cumberly shook his head. Helen put her arms about his neck and
raised her eyes to his.

"You have no right to refuse," she said, softly: "don't you see that?"

Dr. Cumberly frowned. Then:--

"You are right, Helen," he agreed. "I should know your pluck well
enough. But if Inspector Dunbar is gone, the police may refuse to admit
us"...

"Then let us hurry!" cried Helen. "I am afraid they will take away"...

Side by side they descended to Henry Leroux's flat, ringing the bell,
which, an hour earlier, the lady of the civet furs had rung.

A sergeant in uniform opened the door.

"Is Detective-Inspector Dunbar here?" inquired the physician.

"Yes, sir."

"Say that Dr. Cumberly wishes to speak to him. And"--as the man was
about to depart--"request him not to arouse Mr. Leroux."

Almost immediately the inspector appeared, a look of surprise upon his
face, which increased on perceiving the girl