"Oh, miss, I haven't found it yet, and indeed--indeed, I've looked in every spot in this room where it could possibly be. Sure, you've tucked it away somewhere and forgot, Miss Maud. Try to remember where you had it last," the girl says, soothingly. Startled and half afraid, Maud springs to her feet putting her white hand to her brow. "Let me think," she says, confusedly; "ah, now I remember; yesterday, when I went down the path to Mr. Charteris and Reine under the tree I had the note in my hand. I slipped it into my pocket." "It must have fallen on the ground," Nellie says, quickly. "Shall I go and see?" "Yes," Maud answers, anxiously. Reine, grown suddenly, strangely pale, looks at the beautiful, harassed face of her cousin. "That note, Maud," she says, in a voice of repressed excitement. "Is it so very important?" "Important?" Maud says, peevishly. "Did I not tell you my very life hangs on it? They believe that I killed Mr. Clyde. I must go to prison unless I can find that note, which would establish my innocence." "Then it must be found," Reine says with sudden nervousness. "I will go and help Nellie find it." "No--no, Reine; where is my uncle?" "Shut up in the library, I think, Maud." "Is he so very--very angry with me," she asks, lifting her large blue eyes to Reine's troubled face. "I--I'm afraid so," Reine stammers, with marked hesitation. "Would he see me, do you think?" Maud inquires. "I do not know," Reine answers, with an unconscious sigh. "Go and ask him, Reine. Oh, I must make friends with him! What shall I do without a friend in this perilous time?" "I will be your friend," Reine ventures, wistfully. Maud measures the slight figure with scornful eyes. "_You!_ what good could you do me?" she asks, disdainfully. "I do not know. I am small, but I am willing," Reine answers to that look. "Remember, Maud, a little mouse once saved a lion." "Go and ask my uncle if he will let me come in and speak to him," Maud answers, ignoring her offer with proud indifference. The slight, girlish figure turns away without a word. In the hall she meets Nellie returning. "You have not found the note?" she says. "No, ma'am, and whatever will my poor Miss Maud do? Oh, Mrs. Charteris, will they hang her for Mr. Clyde's murder? Oh, I daren't go in and tell her I cannot find it," whimpers poor Nellie. "Nellie," abruptly, "tell me where to find Mr. Charteris." "Oh, ma'am, at the inquest, most probably," returns Nellie, surprised; then, with an imploring look, "oh, Mrs. Charteris, please'm don't tell him what I told you. I know Mr. Langton would discharge me for listening. I shouldn't have told you, never, but for Miss Maud." Reine looks at her sadly. A far-away look in her "dark--dark eyes." "You needn't be afraid, Nell. I shall never tell him," she says, slowly, and passes on. She opens the library door softly, and goes in. Mr. Langton is sitting dejectedly in his arm-chair.