"Good-night, sir," said Lance, turning a corner and going down the street toward his hotel to pass the weary night in restless tossing and sleeplessness, while visions of his beautiful lost love haunted his feverish brain until he was well-nigh driven to madness. Mr. Lawrence went back to the detective next day with the costly broken jewel that Mary, the housemaid, had found in the hall. He explained to Mr. Shelton that no gentleman had called at the house the day previous except Mr. Darling, who said he had never seen it before. "This confirms my view of the case," said Mr. Shelton, triumphantly "Did I not say that the girl had one or more accomplices? This was probably dropped by the man in his hurried flight. Yet it would seem to have belonged to a person of taste and wealth. Such a one would not be engaged in burglary. The mystery only deepens." "But may not this be a clew by which to discover the perpetrators of the dastardly act?" inquired the banker. "It ought to do so," said the detective, frankly. He remained lost in thought a few moments then inquired: "Have you any acquaintance who can claim these initials, Mr. Lawrence?" "Let me think. My circle of acquaintance is large, but I cannot recall anyone claiming H. C. as his monogram. My memory may not serve me correctly, though." "Perhaps your card-receiver may do better, Mr. Lawrence. Will you examine that and let me know?" "Certainly. Suppose you accompany me, and let us find out at once? I do not feel disposed to let this vexing matter rest." "With pleasure, as I have a leisure hour at my disposal." They returned to the house together and entered at once upon their quest. It was not long before their labors were rewarded with success The detective looked up with a small square of pasteboard in his hand, from which he read aloud triumphantly. "Harold Colville!" "'H. C.' Harold Colville!" exclaimed the banker. "Why, really I had forgotten Mr. Colville." "He visits here then, of course," said the detective. "He did--at one time--frequently. Latterly he has discontinued his visits. Indeed, it has been four or five months since he called upon us." "Had he any reason for the cessation of his visits?" "Yes," said the banker, promptly. "He was a suitor for the hand of my daughter, Lily. She rejected him--being already engaged to Mr. Darling." "I have seen Mr. Colville," said Shelton. "He is a man of wealth and leisure--dissipated and fast, I have heard." "You have been correctly informed," was the reply. "Indeed?" said Mr. Shelton. He laid the card back as he spoke, and rose to take leave. "Does this discovery throw any light on the mystery?" said the other. "I will be frank with you, Mr. Lawrence. It does not. The case seems complicated at present, but it is my business to unravel the crooked skein, and I hope to do so. You will suffer me to retain this bit of jewelry for the present. I wish to see if Mr. Colville can furnish the missing half."