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 'In this inquiry we ought, surely, to assist each other, Mr. Munro! Miss Lethmere is missing, and it is for us to unite in our efforts to elucidate the mystery.'

'But how can answers to the questions you have put to me serve, in any way whatever, to bring us nearer to the truth of what has happened to Miss Lethmere?' I queried.

'They do. I merely ask you, yes or no. Your reply will at once place us in a far better position to conduct this most important inquiry,' he said. 'I may tell you that at present the gravest suspicion rests upon Miss Lethmere.'

'Suspicion!' I echoed angrily. 'Of what, pray?'

The captain drew a long breath and, once more looking me straight in the face, replied:

'Well, of being a secret agent of the German Government—or to put it very bluntly, of being a spy!'

'Roseye a spy!' I shouted, starting up from my chair. 'A most foul and abominable lie! How dare you cast any such imputation upon her?'

'It is, unfortunately, no imputation, Mr. Munro,' replied the captain. 'You naturally doubt the truth, but we have documentary evidence that the missing lady is not exactly the purely patriotic young person whom you have so long believed her to be. Since the war lots of men who have trusted pretty women have had many rude awakenings, I assure you.'

'I'll believe nothing against Roseye!'

'Well,' answered Pollock, taking from his pocket