"No," he thought, "I could do nothing. For Marion's sake I must bring subtlety to bear, not brute force. And this is leaving England, to try and forget everything," he added, with a mocking laugh. "No; I must stay and unravel it all." He went home, had recourse to a drug again, and slept heavily till morning, and then, with his brain throbbing painfully from his anxious thoughts, he had left the house, determined to make another effort to obtain speech of Marion. That she was completely under the influence of her friends he felt sure, but if, he told himself, he could only obtain an interview, all might be well. To this end and full of a fresh project, he took a four-wheeled cab and had himself driven to the end of Highcombe Street, where he bade the driver draw up and wait. Here he threw himself back in one corner of the vehicle, opened a newspaper so as to screen his face and at the same time enable him to keep a strict watch upon the house. Fortune favoured him. At the end of an hour he saw the carriage drawn up, and soon after the brothers and their wives came out and were driven off; then the butler stood airing himself upon the step for a time, and finally went in and closed the door. Chester's heart beat high with hope, and he waited for a few minutes, which seemed to be an hour. Then, telling the man to wait, he was going down the street, when a shout brought him back. "Beg pardon, sir; you didn't take my number," said the driver, with a grin. "No, why should I?" said Chester, wonderingly. "So as to be able to find me agin if you forgets to come back, sir." "Oh, I see," said Chester, smiling, and then placing a couple of coins in the man's hand. "Don't be afraid; I shall return." The opportunity had come, and without hesitation Chester went straight to the door and rang. The butler answered the bell, after keeping him waiting some minutes, for it was not visiting time; and as soon as the man saw who it was he reddened a little and looked indignant. "Take my card up to Miss Clareborough," said Chester, quietly. "Not at home, sir." "Look here, my man, I particularly wish to see your young lady, so have the goodness to take up my card." "Not at home, sir," repeated the butler, pompously. "To ordinary visitors, perhaps," said Chester, whose temper was rising at the man's manner; "but she will see me." "I told you twice over that our young lady wasn't at home, sir," said the butler, more offensive in speech and manner than ever. "Yes," said Chester, still quietly, "and I know perfectly well that this is only the customary formal reply to ordinary callers. My business is important, and I tell you that Miss Clareborough will see me, so take my card up at once." "Look here, sir," said the man, insolently; "I have had my orders, and I know what to do. Once more: not at home." "Am I to understand that you refuse to take up my card?"