Then Gilda asked, "Was he well-dressed, then?" "Oh, yes! Quite well-dressed, and he had money in his pockets and wore jewellery." "How strange," she added, with a slight quiver. "What sort of jewellery?" "Oh, the usual sort of things, you know--a watch and chain and a plain signet ring! He also had a curious kind of charm hanging by a chain around his neck. I took possession of that, hoping some day it might serve as a clue. He was a strange-looking chap, and I would like to find out who he was. In fact the guv'nor, before he died, said something about a `trap,' and other things of that sort, and I'd like to discover what it's all about. There's some deep mystery surrounding the whole affair." Gilda shivered, and said: "Isn't it terrible!" and, after a pause, added: "It's getting cool to-night. Shall we walk towards the hotel?" As they walked towards the Hotel Royal, Raife produced from his pocket the charm he had removed from the assassin's neck, and, handing it to Gilda for her inspection, said: "Here's the charm. It seems to be Egyptian, a figure of the goddess Isis, and there are all sorts of queer hieroglyphics on the back of it. Queer-looking thing for a burglar to wear, isn't it?" Gilda took the charm and her eyes sparkled as she held it tenderly, and seemed almost to fondle it. Then, nervously, and sharply, she said: "Oh, how interesting! I love any thing Egyptian, and I have quite a lot of scarabs. Do give this to me as a token of your friendship. It will bring me luck. Fancy it having been worn by a murderer. I shall go to the tables at Monte Carlo, and if you give it to me, it will be my mascot." Raife was very much in love with Gilda, and he would give his life, willingly, to serve her. The spirit of mystery seemed to enshroud this delicate, fragile girl. Why should she be fascinated by this gruesome relic of his father's murder? He did not reply for a minute or so. Gilda handed back the charm, saying: "No, you don't want to give it to me. And yet, how I feel I would like to own it. I don't know why, but it fascinates me." "Take it, Gilda," he eventually said, fondly calling her by her Christian name, "and I hope it will bring you a lot of luck." Gilda placed the quaint little charm with the thin gold chain in her reticule. They had now reached the entrance of the Hotel Royal, and together they entered. Raife cast an eager glance around. To his great relief, Lady Remington, for it was late, had retired to rest. Gilda whispered: "Let's go up the staircase. There's a quiet alcove there, and my uncle has gone to his room." In the brilliantly-lit foyer of the hotel an orchestra was discoursing music to a crowd of visitors, who lounged or promenaded at their sweet will. Many eyes were turned to the handsome couple as they ascended the richly-carpeted staircase in search of that quiet alcove which promised much to Raife, and perhaps some pleasure to the mysterious young girl who accompanied him.