The scurry of hurrying footsteps, but no answer. Minot went on to 389, and placed his key in the lock. It would not turn. He twisted the knob of the door--it was unlocked. He stepped inside and flashed on the light. His small abode was in a mad disorder. The chiffonier drawers had been emptied on the floor, the bed was torn to pieces, the rug thrown in a corner. Minot smiled to himself. Some one had been searching--searching for Chain Lightning's Collar. Who? Who but the man he had bumped against in that dark passageway? CHAPTER IX "WANTED: BOARD AND ROOM" As Dick Minot bent over to pick up his scattered property, a knock sounded on the half-open door, and Lord Harrowby drooped in. The nobleman was gloom personified. He threw himself despondently down on the bed. "Minot, old chap," he drawled, "it's all over." His eyes took in the wreckage. "Eh? What the deuce have you been doing, old boy?" "I haven't been doing anything," Minot answered. "But others have been busy. While we were at the--er--theater, fond fingers have been searching for Chain Lightning's Collar." "The devil! You haven't lost it?" "No--not yet, I believe." Minot took the envelope from his pocket and drew out the gleaming necklace. "Ah, it's still safe--" Harrowby leaped from the bed and slammed shut the door. "Dear old boy," he cried, "keep the accursed thing in your pocket. No one must see it. I say, who's been searching here? Do you think it could have been O'Malley?" "What is O'Malley's interest in your necklace?" "Some other time, please. Sorry to inconvenience you with the thing. Do hang on to it, won't you? Awful mix-up if you didn't. Bad mix-up as it is. As I said when I came in, it's all over." "What's all over?" "Everything. The marriage--my chance for happiness--Minot, I'm a most unlucky chap. Meyrick has just postponed the wedding in a frightfully loud tone of voice." "Postponed it?" Sad news for Jephson this, yet as he spoke Mr. Minot felt a thrill of joy in his heart. He smiled the pleasantest smile he had so far shown San Marco. "Exactly. He was fearfully rattled, was Meyrick. My word, how he did go on. Considers his daughter humiliated by the antics of that creature we saw on the stage to-night. Can't say I blame him, either. The wedding is indefinitely postponed, unless that impostor is removed from the scene immediately." "Oh--unless," said Minot. His heart sank. His smile vanished. "Unless was the word, I fancy," said Harrowby, blinking wisely. "Lord Harrowby," Minot began, "you intimated the other day that this man might really be your brother--" "No," Harrowby broke in. "Impossible. I got a good look at the chap to-night. He's no more a Harrowby than you are." "You give me your word for that?"