meanwhile flattered himself by the thought that the other was trying to read his thoughts by looking at him fixedly.
"I have been away from home," said Bruce at last. "I had occasion to go to the South of France."
"I thought so. I was sure of it. How do you manage always to get ahead of us?" Mr. White was enthusiastic in his admiring divination.
"You have heard about Sydney H. Corbett?" said the barrister, still keeping that inscrutable, calculating gaze upon the policeman.
"Yes. I am on his track. We may be slow, but we are sure in Scotland Yard. May I ask what luck you have had, sir?"
"In what respect?""As if you didn't go to Monte Carlo to find Corbett yourself! Really, Mr. Bruce, the scent is too hot this time. You might as well give a 'View halloa' if you have seen him."

"Seen Sydney H. Corbett, you mean?"

"That is the gentleman."

For an instant Mensmore's future trembled in the balance. Bruce almost framed the words which would have led to his immediate arrest at the next port touched by the White Heather. But the memory of Phyllis Browne, of her agony, of the fearful scandal that must fly through Society on the Riviera, restrained him. There was no hurry. He must have time to think.

"I certainly went to Monte Carlo to discover the identity of that interesting personage, but I came back, Mr. White, as wise as I went. The only trace I found of him was an undelivered letter awaiting him at the Hotel du Cercle."

"A letter! Wasn't he there?" Mr. White's face, notwithstanding its official decorum, betrayed its disappointment. This was an unlooked-for check.

"He had been there. Other letters came for him earlier, and he had received them."

"But the hotel people--"

"Did not know him. In fact, there cannot be the slightest doubt that Mr. Corbett concealed his identity at Monte Carlo under another name."

"It doesn't matter much," growled the detective. "We will nab him all the same, if he had fifty names."

"Possibly. But it is wonderful how a man may be under your very nose, and yet you may miss him."

During the next few minutes neither man spoke. Bruce smiled cynically at the thought that he was actually shielding Lady Alice's probable slayer from the minions of the law. He marvelled at himself for his irresolution. Nevertheless, he 

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