rge, and I have kept the strictest account of it. A little disposed
to show temper, sometimes, sir, but strictly honest and very clean."

"This is a very sad and unseemly business at such a time," said Mr
Girtle. "Ramo, you have made a mistake."

"No, no!" cried the old Indian, wrathfully.

"Come, come," said Mr Girtle; "be reasonable."

"The police," panted the old Indian. "Send for the police."

"All right," cried Charles, defiantly; "send for the police and let 'em
search me."

"Silence!" cried Mr Girtle. "Go down and arrange your dress, sir. Mr
Capel, young ladies, will you return to the drawing-room? Signori, will
you retire? That will do, Preenham. Leave Ramo to me."

In another minute the old solicitor was left with Ramo, who stood
beneath the dim stained-glass window, with his arms folded and his brow
knit.

"You do not trust and believe me, sir?"

"Don't talk nonsense, Ramo. You know I trust you as the most faithful
fellow in the world."

He held out his hand as he spoke, but the old Indian remained motionless
for the moment; then, seizing the hand extended to him, he bent over it,
holding it to his breast.

"My dear lord's old friend," he said.

"That's better, Ramo," said Mr Girtle. "Now, go and change your
dress."

"No, no!" cried the old man. "I must watch."

"Nonsense, man. Don't think that every one who comes means to rob."

"But I do," cried the old Indian, in a whisper. "They think of what we
know--you and I only. Those foreign men--the servants."

"You must not be so suspicious, Ramo. It will be all right."

"It will not be all right, Sahib," cried the old Indian. "Think of what
there is in yonder."

"But we have the secret, Ramo."

"Yes--yes; but suppose there were others who knew the secret--who had
heard of it. Sahib, I will be faithful to the dead."

The old Indian drew himself up with dignity, and took his place once
more before the door.

"It has been shocking," whispered the Indian. "I have been driven away,
while those foreign men did what they pleased in there. It was
maddening. Ah!"

He clapped his hands to his head.

"What now, Ramo?"

"Those three men! Suppose--"

He caught at his companion's arm, whispered a few words, and they
entered the darkened room, from which, as the door opened and closed, a
peculiar aromatic odour floated out.

As the door was closed the sound of a bolt being shot inside was heard,
and directly after the face