Thus urged, The Shadow sank softly on to the extreme edge of a convenient chair placed near the door. Here he fixed his sad eyes on the beautiful vision at the window, and adored in silence. Lesbia turned matters over in her mind. She knew that she would have to speak very plainly, and had a natural reluctance to doing so, since Canning was a servant and a stranger. Still, he was the sole person who could help her, as now that George was out of her life, temporarily, at all events, she felt very lonely. Her father neither gave her affection, nor desired any, and certainly would not put out a hand to save George, much less clear his character. Why should he, when he wanted Walker out of the way so that his daughter could marry Sargent? Lesbia thought of these things with her eyes on the floor, and finally determined to confess everything, as her plight and that of George was too desperate to permit of over-nice feelings. With some colour, therefore, she related the whole story from the time that Walker had proposed to the result of her visit to Maud. "I was forced to dismiss Mr. Walker," she said in addition, "because my father came back to tell me that Miss Ellis had threatened to have Mr. Walker arrested. I saw Miss Ellis also, as I have told you, and she declares that she can prove Mr. Walker's guilt, and will do so unless he marries her." Canning, with his sad eyes fixed upon her, heard the whole tale without comment. At the end he nodded. "What do you wish me to do, Miss?" "I want you to learn who committed this burglary at Mr. Tait's house, so that Mr. Walker can be cleared." "But how can I do that, Miss, when I am servant to Captain Sargent? I have my duties to consider." "I know that," Lesbia faltered, and became downcast, "and then you have no experience in looking into these things. I am sorry you cannot help me." "I did not say that, Miss." "Then you will?" The Shadow reflected, but did not take his eyes from her eager face. "Yes!" he said at length. "I will help you." "Oh, Canning, thank you so much. But how?" "I can't say yet, Miss. In the first place I must leave Captain Sargent." Lesbia rose impulsively. "I don't want you to lose your situation." "I had intended to give the Captain notice long ago," explained Canning, rising in his turn. "What you say decides me. I shall go to London, and in one way or another I may be able to learn who stole those jewels." "But why in London? They were stolen at Henley." "Quite so, but the two thieves--if Mr. Walker is to be believed, there were two--must have taken the jewels to dispose of them in London. Leave everything to me, Miss. I was in an inquiry office once, and know how to go about these matters. But," he hesitated, "it will require money." "Oh!" Lesbia uttered an ejaculation of dismay. "I have none." "Can't your father give you some, Miss?"