is to
wish to know more fully and more thoroughly all that had been. The
period covered by that ancestor's life in Paris was one inviting every
form of curiosity.

Lady Arabella, who had her own game to play, saw in the _metier_ of
sympathetic friend, a series of meetings with the man she wanted to
secure. She made the first use of the opportunity the day after old
Chester's death; indeed, as soon as the news had filtered in through the
back door of Diana's Grove. At that meeting, she played her part so well
that even Caswall's cold nature was impressed.

Oolanga was the only one who did not credit her with at least some sense
of fine feeling in the matter. In emotional, as in other matters,
Oolanga was distinctly a utilitarian, and as he could not understand
anyone feeling grief except for his own suffering, pain, or for the loss
of money, he could not understand anyone simulating such an emotion
except for show intended to deceive. He thought that she had come to
Castra Regis again for the opportunity of stealing something, and was
determined that on this occasion the chance of pressing his advantage
over her should not pass. He felt, therefore, that the occasion was one
for extra carefulness in the watching of all that went on. Ever since he
had come to the conclusion that Lady Arabella was trying to steal the
treasure-chest, he suspected nearly everyone of the same design, and made
it a point to watch all suspicious persons and places. As Adam was
engaged on his own researches regarding Lady Arabella, it was only
natural that there should be some crossing of each other's tracks. This
is what did actually happen.

Adam had gone for an early morning survey of the place in which he was
interested, taking with him the mongoose in its box. He arrived at the
gate of Diana's Grove just as Lady Arabella was preparing to set out for
Castra Regis on what she considered her mission of comfort. Seeing Adam
from her window going through the shadows of the trees round the gate,
she thought that he must be engaged on some purpose similar to her own.
So, quickly making her toilet, she quietly left the house, and, taking
advantage of every shadow and substance which could hide her, followed
him on his walk.

Oolanga, the experienced tracker, followed her, but succeeded in hiding
his movements better than she did. He saw that Adam had on his shoulder
a mysterious box, which he took to contain something valuable. Seei