He has pondered everything pertaining to the mystery surrounding Vernet's improper use of his business letter-heads, and his visit to the Warburton mansion in the guise of Augustus Grip. And he has vainly tried to trace the connection between these man[oe]uvres and some of Stanhope's inconsistencies. In the search, he has made a discovery: Alan Warburton, the uncle of the lost child for whom his men have been vainly searching, and Leslie Warburton, the widow of the late Archibald Warburton, have both sailed for Europe. Business connected with the search has been transacted through Mr. Follingsbee; and this voyage across the sea, at so inopportune a time, has been treated by the lawyer with singular reticence, not to say secrecy. What could have caused these two to make such a journey at such a time? Why did Van Vernet enter their house in disguise? Who were the two that had sailed to Europe by proxy? What was this mystery which, he instinctively felt, had taken root on the night of the fruitless Raid? "It was young Warburton who had secured Vernet's services, and afterwards dismissed him in such summary fashion. It was Mr. Follingsbee who had engaged Stanhope, for that self-same night, _for a masquerade_. If I could question Stanhope," he muttered. "Oh! I need not wait for that; I'll interview Follingsbee." He dashed off a note, asking the lawyer to wait upon him that afternoon, and having dispatched it, was about to resume the study of his new problem, when Sanford entered with a memorandum in his hand. "Beale has come in," he said in a low tone. "He has been the rounds, and gives a full report of Vernet's movements." "Has Beale been out alone?" "Not since the first two hours; he has three men out now." "Phew! Well, read your minutes, Sanford; I see you have taken them down from word of mouth." "Yes, it was the shortest way. Vernet is watching three localities." "Oh!" "Beale shadowed him, first, to the residence of Mr. Follingsbee, the lawyer." "Umph!" The Chief started, then checked himself, and sank back in his chair. "Here," continued Sanford, "he had a man on guard. They exchanged a few words, and Vernet went away, the shadower staying near the lawyer's house. From there Vernet went direct to Warburton Place." The Chief bit his lips and stirred uneasily. "Here he had another shadower. They also conferred together. Then Vernet took a carriage and went East to the suburbs; out to the very edge of the city, where the houses are scattering and inhabited by poor laborers. At the end of K. street, he left his carriage, and went on foot to a little saloon, the farthest out of any in that vicinity. There he had a long talk with a fellow who seemed to be personating a bricklayer. He left the saloon and went back to his carriage, seemingly in high spirits, and the bricklayer departed in the opposite direction." "Away from the city?" "Yes; toward the furthermost houses." The Chief bent his head and meditated.