these gentlemen o' hers was
sure to be the finish of her!"

"She had other admirers--before Captain Vane?"

"Aye! the hussy! There was a black-faced villain not six months since!
He got t' vain cat to go to London an' have her photograph done in a
dress any decent woman would 'a' blushed to look at! Like one o' these
Venuses up at t' Manor! Good riddance! She took after her mother!"

The violent old ruffian was awkward to examine, but Harley persevered.

"This previous admirer caused her to be photographed in that way, did
he? Have you a copy?"

"No!" blazed Bramber. "What I found I burnt! He ran off, like I told her
he would--an' her cryin' her eyes out! But the pretty soger dried her
tears quick enough!"

"Do you know this man's name?"

"No. A foreigner, he was."

"Where were the photographs done--in London, you say?"

"Aye."

"Do you know by what photographer?"

"I don't! An' I don't care! Piccadilly they had on 'em, which was good
enough for me."

"Have you her picture?"

"No!"

"Did she receive a letter on the day of her disappearance?"

"Maybe."

"Good day!" said Harley. "And let me add that the atmosphere of her home
was hardly conducive to ideal conduct!"

Leaving Bramber to digest this rebuke, we came out of the cottage. Dusk
was falling now, and by the time that we regained the Manor the place
was lighted up. Inspector Wessex was waiting for us in the library, and:

"Well?" he said, smiling slightly as we entered.

"Nothing much," replied Harley dryly, "except that I don't wonder at the
girl's leaving such a home."

"What's that! What!" roared a big voice, and Sir Howard came into the
room. "I tell you, Bramber only had one fault as a stepfather; he wasn't
heavy-handed enough. A bad lot, sir, a bad lot!"

"Well, sir," said Inspector Wessex, looking from one to another,
"personally, beyond the usual inquiries at railway stations, etc.,
I cannot see that we can do much here. Don't you agree with me, Mr.
Harley?"

Harley nodded.

"Quite," he replied. "There is a late train to town which I think we
could catch if we started at once."

"Eh?" roared Sir Howard; "you're not going back to-night? Your rooms are
ready for you, damn it!"

"I quite appreciate the kindness, Sir Howard," replied Harley; "but I
have urgent business to attend to in London. Believe me, my departure is
unavoidable."

The blue eyes of the baronet gleamed with the simple cunning of his
kind.

"You've got so