"You and she are, for some unhappy reason, not on speaking terms. That--" "Good God!" the Colonel interrupted, "whom do you mean? Whom are you talking about?" "About your daughter--whom I shielded--the companion of the Baroness de Sturm. Your daughter Louise." The Colonel raised his trembling fingers to his forehead. His voice quivered ominously. "Of course! Of course! God help me, I thought you meant Edith! I never thought of Louise. And Edith has spoken of you lately." "I found your younger daughter charming," Wrayson said seriously, "but it was of your daughter Louise I was speaking. I thought that you would understand that." "My daughter--whom you found--in Morris Barnes' flat--that night?" "Exactly," Wrayson answered, "and my question is this. I cannot ask you why you and she parted, but at least you can tell me if you know of any reason why I should not ask her to be my wife." The Colonel was silent. "No!" he said at last, "there is no reason. But she would not consent. I am sure of that." "We will let it go at that," Wrayson answered. "Come!" He had chosen his moment for rising so as to pass down the room almost at the same time as Mr. Bentham and his strange companion. Prolific of smiles and somewhat elephantine graces, the lady's darkened eyes met Wrayson's boldly, and finding there some encouragement, she even favoured him with a backward glance. In the vestibule he slipped a half-crown into the attendant's hand. "See if you can hear the address that lady gives her cabman," he whispered. The boy nodded, and hurried out after them. Wrayson kept the Colonel back under the pretence of lighting a fresh cigar. When at last they strolled forward, they met the boy returning. He touched his hat to Wrayson. "Alhambra, sir!" he said, quietly. "Gone off alone, sir, in a hansom. Gentleman walked." The Colonel kept silence until they were in the street. "Coming to the club?" he asked, a little abruptly. "No!" Wrayson answered. "You are going after that woman?" the Colonel exclaimed. "I am going to the Alhambra," Wrayson answered. "I can't help it. It sounds foolish, I suppose, but this affair fascinates me. It works on my nerves somehow. I must go." The Colonel turned on his heel. Without another word, he crossed the Strand, leaving Wrayson standing upon the pavement. Wrayson, with a little sigh, turned westwards. CHAPTER XVIII AN AMATEUR DETECTIVE Wrayson easily discovered the object of his search. She was seated upon a lounge in the promenade, her ample charms lavishly displayed, and her blackened eyes mutely questioning the passers-by. She welcomed Wrayson with a smile which she meant to be inviting, albeit she was a little suspicious. Men of Wrayson's stamp and appearance were not often such easy victims. "Saw you at Luigi's, didn't I?" he asked, hat in hand. She nodded, and made room for him to sit down by her side.