On the basis of the accepted truism in the affairs of many people that "letters left unanswered answer themselves," the barrister knew that there must be an outcome from the queer medley of occurrences at his residence on the Monday evening. Reviewing the history of the past three months several odd features stood out from the general jumble. In the first place, he wondered why he had failed to deduce any pertinent fact from the manner in which Mrs. Hillmer's dining-room was furnished on the occasion of his first visit to Raleigh Mansions. He distinctly remembered noting his reception in an unusual room littered with unusual articles, when the luxurious and well-appointed suite of apartments was considered as a whole. It was suggested to him at the time that the drawing-room, which he saw during his second visit, was dismantled earlier, but he did not connect this trivial incident with the feature in Mensmore's flat that he noted immediately--namely, the discrepancies between the arrangement of the sitting-room and the other chambers in the place. These things were immaterial now, but he indexed them as a guide for future use. Lady Dyke's motive for that secret visit to Raleigh Mansions--that was the key to the mystery. But how to discover it? Who was her confidant? To whom could he turn for possible enlightenment? It was useless to broach the matter again to her husband. The baronet and his wife had been friends sharing the same _ménage_ rather than husband and wife. Her relatives had already been appealed to in vain. They knew nothing of the slightest value in this search for truth. In this train of thought the name of Jane Harding cropped up. She was the personal maid of the deceased lady. She had sharp eyes and quick wits. Her queer antics shortly after the inquest were not forgotten. Here at least was a possibility of light if the girl would speak. If she refused what could be her motive? Anyhow it was worth while to make a fresh effort. Early in the afternoon he called at the stage-door of the Jollity Theatre. "Is Miss Marie le Marchant still employed here?" he asked the attendant. "I dunno," was the careless answer. "Well, think hard," said the barrister, laying a half-crown on the battered blotting-pad which is an indispensable part of the furniture in the letter bureau of a theatre. "Yes, sir, I believe she is, but she has been away on a week's leave." "Indeed. Has she returned?" "I was off last night, sir, but if you will pardon me a moment I'll inquire from the man who took my place." The stage-doorkeeper disappeared into the dark interior, to return quickly with the information that Miss le Marchant had appeared as usual on Monday night. "She was away most part of last week, sir," added the man, "and I believe it wasn't a holiday, as she was a-sort of flurried about it as if some one was ill." "Thank you. Do you know where she lives?" A momentary hesitation was soon softened by another half-crown.