Lord Barminster controlled his feelings, recognising the good sense of the suggestion, and turning coldly to the inspector, said: "Perhaps it would be best, Inspector. Kindly come this way." At the end of a small passage outside the anteroom, the door opened into a smaller room, which at one time had been used as a study, and was noted for its impenetrability as to sound. Here they entered; and Lord Barminster, asking all to be seated, bade the inspector proceed with such explanations as he had to offer. "My lord," he said respectfully, "the explanation is a very simple one, and in deference to your lordship, to make it as private as possible, I have left my men outside the Castle. I, unfortunately, hold a warrant for the arrest of Mr. Adrien Leroy on a charge of forgery." An exclamation of horror burst from all, except Adrien and Jasper; but the speaker continued: "In performance of my duty, I arrest him, in the King's name." He touched Adrien lightly on the arm as he spoke. Lord Barminster drew a long breath, but still hoping against his better judgment that the affair was what its originators considered, a practical joke, he restrained all appearance of anger. "Come," he said, "this may be an excellent jest; but whoever is responsible for it must surely realise that it has gone far enough." "This is no jest, sir," said Adrien, and he looked at Mortimer Shelton, who sat, white and bewildered, opposite to him. "I am arrested on a charge of forging Shelton's signature to a bill for ten thousand pounds." "Good Heavens!" exclaimed his friend, starting up in horror. "But it is impossible that they should think you--" "Shelton," continued Adrien steadily, "has written a letter saying that the signature is a forgery." "I wrote last week, not knowing; but, of course"--he laughed scornfully--"it is all a mistake, which can soon be rectified. The idea of coming to you for such a thing! I hope you don't believe, my dear Adrien, that I had any hand in this monstrous accusation?" "Of course, I know that," replied his friend, holding out his hand. "But the writing has a distinct resemblance to mine, I admit; and two witnesses are ready to prove, so the inspector tells me, that they saw me enter the office of a certain 'Harker's,' I think it is, where the bill was signed, and also that my motor was standing at the door. While a third witness, a clerk at the office, has filed an affidavit that he actually saw me writing on the bill, there. All this, father"--turning once more to the old man--"passes a jest." "Yes, indeed," replied Lord Barminster sarcastically; "for a Leroy, who can command a hundred thousand pounds by a stroke of his pen, to forge a bill for ten thousand pounds is not a jest, but simple madness. The charge is some insolent conspiracy."