Harley quitted the yard, and entered St. James's Park by the little gate close by. In a very few words he informed Frank of Violante's disappearance, and of his reasons for suspecting the Count. Frank's first sentiment was that of indignant disbelief that the brother of Beatrice could be so vile; but as he gradually called to mind the cynical and corrupt vein of the Count's familiar conversation--the hints to Peschiera's prejudice that had been dropped by Beatrice herself--and the general character for brilliant and daring profligacy which even the admirers of the Count ascribed to him--Frank was compelled to reluctant acquiescence in Harley's suspicions; and he said, with an earnest gravity very rare to him--"Believe me, Lord L'Estrange, if I can assist you in defeating a base and mercenary design against this poor young lady, you have but to show me how. One thing is clear--Peschiera was not personally engaged in this abduction, since I have been with him all day; and--now I think of it--I begin to hope that you wrong him; for he has invited a large party of us to make an excursion with him to Boulogne next week, in order to try his yacht; which he could scarcely do, if--" "Yacht, at this time of the year! a man who habitually resides at Vienna--a yacht!" "Spendquick sells it a bargain on account of the time of year and other reasons; and the Count proposes to spend next summer in cruising about the Ionian Isles. He has some property on those Isles, which he has never yet visited." "How long is it since he bought this yacht?" "Why, I am not sure that it is already bought--that is, paid for. Levy was to meet Spendquick this very morning to arrange the matter. Spendquick complains that Levy screws him." "My dear Mr. Hazeldean, you are guiding me through the maze. Where shall I find Lord Spendquick?" "At this hour, probably, in bed. Here is his card." "Thanks. And where lies the vessel?" "It was off Blackwall the other day. I went to see it--'The Flying Dutchman'--a fine vessel, and carries guns." "Enough. Now, heed me. There can be no immediate danger to Violante, so long as Peschiera does not meet her--so long as we know his movements. You are about to marry his sister. Avail yourself of that privilege to keep close by his side. Refuse to be shaken off. Make what excuses for the present your invention suggests. I will give you an excuse. Be anxious and uneasy to know where you can find Madame di Negra." "Madame di Negra?" cried Frank. "What of her? Is she not in Curzon-street?"