ux's work is always excellent, and always
exciting."--_San Francisco Examiner._

"Not without good cause has Mr. Le Queux earned his very apt title, 'The
Master of Mystery.'"--_El Diario_ (Buenos Ayres).

AUSTRALIA.

"Mr. Le Queux is always fresh and original, and one can rely on being
interested and amused by his stories."--_Sydney Morning Herald._

"For mystery and sensation Mr. Le Queux cannot be beaten."--_Melbourne
Argus._

"Mr. Le Queux's large public are never satisfied. They always crave for
more from his pen."--_Christchurch Weekly Press_ (New Zealand).

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I.--INTRODUCES A GENTLEMAN 7

II.--THE SCENT 20

III.--DESCRIBES THE TRYSTING-PLACE 35

IV.--"DEAR OLD DIG" 45

V.--"TIME WILL PROVE" 54

VI.--THE PIECE OF CONVICTION 63

VII.--FATAL FINGERS 71

VIII.--CONTAINS FURTHER EVIDENCE 80

IX.--DESCRIBES THE YELLOW SIGN 89

X.--CHERCHEZ LA FEMME 97

XI.--IN WHICH AN ALLEGATION IS MADE 108

XII.--PHRIDA MAKES CONFESSION 117

XIII.--THE FUGITIVE'S SECRET 126

XIV.--REVEALS A FURTHER DECEPTION 136

XV.--AN EFFACED IDENTITY 144

XVI.--REVEALS ANOTHER ENIGMA 153

XVII.--CONCERNS MRS. PETRE 162

XVIII.--DISCLOSES THE TRAP 170

XIX.--THE SEAL OF SILENCE 179

XX.--FROM THE TOMB 187

XXI.--RECORDS A STRANGE STATEMENT 195

XXII.--"MARIE BRACQ!" 203

XXIII.--LOVE'S CONFESSION 213

XXIV.--OFFICIAL SECRECY 222

XXV.--FREMY, OF THE SURETE 231

XXVI.--SHOWS EXPERT METHODS 239

XXVII.--EDWARDS BECOMES MORE PUZZLED 248

XXVIII.--FURTHER ADMISSIONS 256

XXIX.--THE SELLER OF SHAWLS 265

XXX.--FACE TO FACE 274

XXXI.--SHOWS THE TRUTH-TELLER 284

XXXII.--IS THE CONCLUSION 294

THE SIGN OF SILENCE.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCES A GENTLEMAN.

"Then it's an entire mystery