I examined the brass box, and upon the lid saw a strange discolouration. It was the mark of a finger--perhaps the mark of that mysterious hand, the touch of which had the potency to consume the object with which it came in contact. I placed the box back upon the table, and could not resist the strange chill which crept over me. The mystery was a more uncanny one than I had ever heard of. "Now tell me, Ash," I said at last. "Did your master ever entertain any lady visitors here?" "Very seldom, sir," the man answered. "His married sister, Lady Hilgay, used to come sometimes, and once or twice his aunt, the Duchess, called, but beyond those I don't recollect any lady here for certainly twelve months past." "Some might have called when you were absent, of course," I remarked. "They might," he said; "but I don't think they did." "Have you ever seen any letters that you've posted addressed to a lady named Cloud?" He reflected, then answered-- "No, sir. The name is an unusual one, and if I'd ever seen it before I certainly should have remembered it." "Well," I said, after some minutes of silence, "I want you to come with me and try and find a lady. If we do meet her you'll see whether you can identify her as a person you've seen before. You understand?" "Yes," he replied, with a puzzled look. "But are we going to see the woman whom the police suspect visited my master while I was absent?" "Be patient," I said, and together we went out, and re-entering the cab drove up to Hampstead. The mystery of my friend's death was becoming more inexplicable. Therefore I had resolved to seek Aline, and at all costs demand some explanation of the extraordinary phenomena which had taken place in Roddy's rooms as well as in my own. CHAPTER NINE. MRS POPEJOY'S STATEMENT. "Is Miss Cloud at home?" I inquired of the maid, as Ash stood behind in wonder. "She doesn't live here, sir," replied the girl. "Doesn't live here?" I echoed dubiously. "Why, only a short time ago I saw her enter here!" "Well, sir, I don't know her. I've never heard the name." "Is Mrs Popejoy in?" I inquired. "Yes, sir. If you wish to see her, please step inside." We both entered the hall, the usual broad passage of a suburban house, with its cheap hall-stand, couple of straight-backed wooden chairs, and a long chest in imitation carved oak. The girl disappeared for a few moments, and on returning ushered us into the dining-room, where we found a rather sour-looking old lady standing ready to greet us. She was about sixty, grey-haired, thin-faced, and wore a cap with faded cherry-coloured ribbons. "Mrs Popejoy, I believe?" I exclaimed politely, receiving in return a bow, the stiffness of which was intended to show breeding. Then continuing, I said: "I have called on a rather urgent matter concerning your niece, Miss Aline Cloud; but the servant tells me she is not at home, and I thought you would perhaps tell me where I can find her without delay."