till that diamond has been looked for. This is a very serious matter, dear. So many think the murderer was one of the guests.” 

 “I think so, too,” said I. But why I thought so or why I should say so with such vehemence, I do not know even now. 

 My uncle looked surprised. 

 “You had better not advance any opinions,” he advised. “A lady like yourself should have none on a subject so gruesome. I shall never cease regretting bringing you here tonight. I shall seize on the first opportunity to take you home. At present we are supposed to await the action of our host.” 

 “He can not keep all these people here long,” I ventured. 

 “No; most of us will be relieved soon. Had you not better get your wraps so as to be ready to go as soon as he gives the word?” 

 “I should prefer to have a peep at the people in the drawing-room first,” was my perverse reply. “I don’t know why I want to see them, but I do; and, uncle, I might as well tell you now that I engaged myself to Mr. Durand this evening—the gentleman with me when you first came up.” 

 “You have engaged yourself to—to this man—to marry him, do you mean?” 

 I nodded, with a sly look behind to see if Mr. Durand were near enough to hear. He was not, and I allowed my enthusiasm to escape in a few quick words. 

 “He has chosen me,” I said, “the plainest, most uninteresting puss in the whole city.” My uncle smiled. “And I believe he loves me; at all events, I know that I love him.” 

 My uncle sighed, while giving me the most affectionate of glances. 

 “It’s a pity you should have come to this understanding to-night,” said he. “He’s an acquaintance of the murdered woman, and it is only right for you to know that you will have to leave him behind when you start for home. All who have been seen entering that alcove this evening will necessarily be detained here till the coroner arrives.” 

 My uncle and I strolled toward the drawing-room and as we did so we passed the library. It held but one occupant, the Englishman. He was seated before a table, and his appearance was such as precluded any attempt at intrusion, even if one had been so disposed. There was a fixity in his gaze and a frown on his powerful forehead which bespoke a mind 

 Prev. P 13/154 next