From Leeds they went to Harrogate. In this place they were supposed to be struggling for some time in adverse circumstances, and while there the professor became seriously ill――so bad indeed that his life was despaired of. A doctor who attended him, and who still practised in this fashionable watering-place, gave a very sorry account of the Italian’s health, which, he said, was much broken while Montini was under his care. His impression, at the time, was that he could not live more than three or four years. Mr. Chicknell, in his letters to the earl, informed the latter of all these facts; at the same time he expressed his sincere regret that there did not seem to be much chance of obtaining more information, as the clue seemed to be lost after the professor and his wife left Harrogate. The supposition was that they returned to London, but this was merely surmise; there was no direct proof of them having done so. For some time after this the matter remained in abeyance, and the anxiety of the bereaved nobleman increased as the weeks flew by. He proceeded up to town, and waited upon Mr. Chicknell at his chambers, Paper-buildings, Temple. “Can nothing more be done in the matter?” he inquired of the lawyer. “I fear not, my lord. Certainly not at present,” answered his legal adviser. “Surely, Mr. Chicknell, you do not intend giving over making further inquiries. The case is a most serious one as far as I am individually concerned, and we must not let the matter rest. I do not care what expense is incurred, but you must do your best to clear up the mystery,” said Lord Ethalwood. “We appear to have come to a dead lock, but that is no reason for our abandoning the search as hopeless,” returned his companion. “Mr. Wrench, of Scotland-yard, has had the case in hand, and has striven as hard as any man possibly could have done to bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion. I think the best plan will be for him to wait upon you at Broxbridge, and you can then hear what he has to say. You will find him a most intelligent officer.” “I wish you would communicate with him at once, then.” “He is not in town this week, but the moment he comes back I will convey to him your expressed wish, and he will hasten at once to Broxbridge.” “I shall be anxiously awaiting his appearance,” said the earl, who took his leave, and returned to his country seat. CHAPTER XXIX. THE NOBLEMAN AND THE DETECTIVE――A CONSULTATION. In a few days after this a gentleman presented himself at the outer gate of Broxbridge Hall, and told the porter that he desired to see the earl upon important business. “Show Mr. Wrench in at once,” said Lord Ethalwood to Jakyl; “of course I want to see him.” The detective entered, and introduced himself to the nobleman, who desired him to be seated. “Well, Mr. Wrench, my solicitor informs me that there is a dead lock in this business; can nothing more be done?”