"Quite right," Ray interrupted. "The fact is, Lady Angela is very anxious about her brother, who did not return to Rowchester last night, and she has sent us out as a search party. Of course, if you were able to help us she would be very gratified." The doctor hesitated. "The Duke and, in fact, all the family have always been exceedingly kind to me," he remarked, looking straight between his horse's ears. "Under the circumstances you mention, if you were to assert that Lord Blenavon was at Braster Grange I do not think that I should contradict you." Ray smiled. "Thank you, doctor," he said. "Good morning." The doctor drove on, and we pursued our way. "It was a very dark night," Ray said, half to himself, "but if Blenavon was the man I hit he ought to have a cracked skull." After all, our interrogation of the doctor was quite unnecessary. We were admitted at once to the Grange by a neatly-dressed parlour-maid. Mrs. Smith-Lessing was at home, and the girl did not for a moment seem to doubt her mistress's willingness to receive us. As she busied herself poking the fire and opening wider the thick curtains, Ray asked her another question. "Do you know if Lord Blenavon is here?" "Yes, sir," the girl answered promptly. "He was brought in last night rather badly hurt, but he is much better this morning. I will let Mrs. Smith-Lessing know that you are here, sir." She hurried out, with the rustle of stiff starch and the quick light-footedness of the well-trained servant. Ray and I exchanged glances. "After all, this is not such a home of mystery as we expected," I remarked. "Apparently not," he answered. "The little woman is playing a bold game." Then Mrs. Smith-Lessing came in. CHAPTER XXIV LORD BLENAVON'S SURRENDER She came in very quietly, a little pale and wan in this cold evening light. She held out her hand to me with a subdued but charming smile of welcome. "I am so glad that you have come to see me," she said softly. "You can help me, too, about this unfortunate young man who has been thrown upon my hands. I--" Then she saw Ray, and the words seemed to die away upon her lips. I had to steel my heart against her to shut out the pity which I could scarcely help feeling. She was white to the lips. She stood as one turned to stone, with her distended eyes fixed upon him. It was like a trapped bird, watching its impending fate. She faltered a little on her feet, and--I could not help it--I hurried to her side with a chair. As she sank into it she thanked me with a very plaintive smile. "Thank you," she said, simply. "I am not very strong, and I did not know that man was with you." Ray broke in. His voice sounded harsh, his manner, I thought, was unnecessarily brutal.