Jim went out with a heavy heart to do his errand; but returned with an answer that Lord Vincent was engaged. "I will not be baffled in this way!" muttered Claudia to herself. Then speaking aloud she inquired: "Where is his lordship, and upon what is he engaged?" "He is sitting in the library, with a bottle of brandy and a box of cigars on the table by him; he is smoking and drinking." "'Smoking and drinking' at twelve o'clock in the day!" muttered Claudia to herself, with a motion of disgust. Then speaking up, she said: "Go downstairs, Jim, and assist in the search for your poor mother; I will ring when I want you." CHAPTER XXIX. A DEEP ONE. An evil soul producing holy witness, Is like a villain with a smiling face. A goodly apple, rotten at the core. --_Shakespeare._ And when her footman had retired Claudia gave herself up to severe and painful thought upon what she had just heard. And the more she reflected on the circumstances the more firmly convinced she became that poor old Katie had suffered foul play; though of what precise nature or by whom exactly dealt she could not decide. Whether Katie had been kidnaped and sent away; or immured in one of the underground dungeons of the castle; or murdered; or whether the perpetrators of either of these crimes were Lord Vincent and Faustina; or Lord Vincent and Frisbie; or Faustina and Frisbie; or finally, whether all three were implicated, she could not determine. And the whole question overwhelmed her with horror. Was this ancient and noble castle really a den of thieves and assassins? One frightful murder had already been committed. Another had perhaps been perpetrated. Was even her own life safe in such a cut-throat place? She feared not; and she knew that she must act with exceeding caution and prudence to insure her safety. What then should she do? What became her duty in these premises? Clearly she could not leave the faithful servant, who had probably lost life or liberty in her service, to such a fate. And yet for Lady Vincent to stir in the matter would be to risk her own life. No matter! Claudia, with all her faults, was no coward. And with a sudden resolution she arose and went downstairs and into the library, where Lord Vincent sat drinking and smoking. "Lady Vincent, I believe I sent you word that I was engaged," said the viscount, as soon as he saw her. "Not very particularly engaged, I believe, my lord," said Claudia, resolutely advancing toward him. "I was smoking. And I understood that you disliked smoke," said Lord Vincent, throwing away the end of his cigar. "There are crises in life, my lord, that make us forget such small aversions. One such crisis is at hand now," answered Claudia gravely. "Will your ladyship explain?" he demanded, placing a chair for her. Evidently the brandy or something or other had strung up Lord Vincent's nerves. Claudia took the seat, and sitting opposite to him, fixed her eyes upon his face and said: