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 BY ORDER OF THE CZAR. 107 mount had been deeply interested in the play; but she was not. Her interest was in the Russian party in the Royal box."

"Was the stranger long in the box?"

"About as long as it took me to tell you of her."

"She was very much in earnest, you say; was she deeply interested in the opera?"

"On reflection it seems to me she must have been directing her gaze upon the Russian box; and yet also I fancied she looked at me as well. But the incident was brief, and what struck me was the wonderful, sad, tragic beauty of the face."

"Madame Lapukin's ghost, Phil!"

"No ghost," said the artist, his eyes upon the face he had drawn.

"Then we will find her. You have all one requires," pointing to the picture, "to assist an independent search. 'Wanted, a mysterious lady, last seen at the opera of Carmen in Lady Marchmount's box, half hidden in the curtains, reminded an enthusiastic artist of —'"

"Don't scoff, Dick," said Philip; "you have no idea how serious I feel about that face."

"Of course you do. One only wants the assurance of your canvas to know that. But what other steps, if any, have you taken to find madame?"

"I have been to the opera every night since, in and out, making calls; I went into Milbanke's box. Then another night took my mother; another went into the stalls. I strolled into the Row, cold as it is, and I have called upon Lady Marchmount."

"And no clue?"

"Not the slightest."

"What does Dolly — Miss Norcott — say to it?"

"To what?"

"To your search for the mysterious beauty?"

"I have not mentioned the subject to her."