"Lady Hurstmonceux has not said so to me, Claudia." "She has had no fit opportunity. Wait till you start to go." "By the way, I must take leave of my kind hostess," said the judge, looking around the room as if in search of something or somebody. Claudia touched the bell. A footman entered. "Let the countess know that the judge is going." The servant bowed and withdrew, and Lady Hurstmonceux entered. "Going so soon, Judge Merlin?" she said. "Just what my daughter has this moment asked. Yes, madam; and you will acknowledge the urgency of my business, when I tell you it is to lodge information against Lord Vincent and his accomplices, and procure their immediate arrest, upon the charge of certain grave crimes that have come to my knowledge, and that I am prepared to prove upon them." "You astonish me, sir. I certainly had reason to suspect Lord Vincent and his disreputable companions, but I am amazed that in so short a time you should have ferreted out so much." "It was accident, madam; or rather," said the judge, gravely bending his head, "it was Providence. My daughter will explain the circumstances to you, madam. And now, will you permit me once more to thank you for your great goodness to me and mine, and to bid you good-morning?" "I hope it will be only good-morning, then, judge, and not good-by. I beg that you will return and take up your residence with us while you remain in Scotland," said the countess, with her sweetest smile. "I should be delighted as well as honored, madam, in being your guest, but I am off to Banff by the midday train." "Off to Banff?" repeated Berenice and Claudia, in a breath. "Certainly." "What is that for?" inquired Claudia. "Why, my dear, there is where I must lodge information against the viscount and his accomplices. There is where the crimes were committed, and where the warrants must be issued." "Oh, I see." "I had forgotten. I was thinking; or rather without thinking at all, I was taking it for granted that it could be all done in Edinboro'," smiled the countess. "Madam, I must still leave my daughter a pensioner on your kindness for a few days," said the judge, with a bow. "You say that as if you supposed it possible for me to permit you to do anything else with her," laughed the countess, holding out her hand to the judge. He raised it to his lips, bowed over it, and resigned it, all in the stately old-time way. Then he turned to his daughter, embraced her, and departed. "Now, Claudia, tell me what the judge has found out about Vincent. Was he implicated in that murder? I shouldn't wonder if he was," said the countess impatiently. "That is just what I thought; but that is not the case. Oh, Berenice, what a revelation it is; but I will tell you all about it," said Claudia,