"Now, will you try and recall some of these fragments of talk? Think if you heard them speak of their travels, together or separately; and if you can recall the names of any persons or places they have mentioned." Henry pondered. "I think," he said, after a time, "that they have been in Europe together. In fact, I am sure of it." Doctor Vaughan started. "Oh! that is to the point. You don't recall any time mentioned?" "No, sir. They used to talk of luck with the cards, and sometimes spoke of operas or plays, and almost always disagreed. Sometimes I would hear him describing men to her, and she seemed to be getting ready for a part in some 'game' that he was trying to play." "Very likely." "Once I heard them having high words about some old man that she had been fleecing, and he said that she had carried the thing too far; and that if she did not keep out of the old man's way, she might get into trouble. I heard the name," putting a forefinger to his forehead and wrinkling his brows; "it was--was--Verage; 'Old Verage,' she called him." "Verage!" "That was the name; I am sure, sir." Clarence took out a note-book, and made an entry. "When did this conversation take place?" he asked. "Not more than two months before the young lady was brought there, sir." "Ah!" Evidently a fresh glimmer of light had been thrown on the subject. "And you heard nothing more about this old man?" "No, sir. I think she must have gone away from town at that time, for I did not see her again, until--" here Henry seemed to catch at some new thought. "Until when?" asked Doctor Vaughan, with some eagerness. "The day before the young lady came," said Henry, in a low tone, and moving a step nearer the doctor. "Madame Cora came dashing up in a close carriage, and she wore a heavy veil. I noticed that because she was rather fond of displaying her face and hair, and I hardly ever saw her wear anything that would hide them. She came up-stairs and ordered me to send a telegram, which she had already written, to my master. I sent it, and she stayed there all day. She sent me out for her meals, and I served them in the large room. She spent the most of the time in walking up and down--that was her way when she was worried or angry--and looking out between the curtains. My master answered the telegram, but when the midnight train came in, a man who went down in the country with him, a sort of tool and hanger-on of his, came to me while I was waiting below, and told me to tell Mistress Cora that the train was a few minutes late." "Stop a moment. This man, who was Davlin's companion,--what was his name?" "I never heard him called anything but 'The Professor.'" "The Professor! And how did he look?" making another entry in the note-book. "He was a middle-aged man, sir, not so tall as master, rather square in the shoulders, and stout built. He wore no beard, and was always smoking a pipe." "Very good," writing rapidly. "Now, then, let us return to the lady."