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Rh whispered. "Nothing has been heard of him for two months;" and this time it was the eye of the prefect which traveled toward the castle.

"Yes, the lady is there," I said quietly. "But I don't suppose Mr. Rassendyll—is that the name?—is."

"The duke," he whispered, "does not like rivals, sire."

"You're right there," said I, with all sincerity. "But surely you hint at a very grave charge."

He spread his hands out in apology. I whispered in his ear:

"This is a grave matter. Go back to Strelsau——"

"But, sire, if I have a clew here?"

"Go back to Strelsau," I repeated. "Tell the ambassador that you have a clew, but that you must be left alone for a week or two. Meanwhile I'll charge myself with looking into the matter."

"The ambassador is very pressing, sire."

"You must quiet him. Come, sir; you see that,