As soon as he had left, Paul Capel let his head go down upon his hands, for his brain seemed to be in a whirl--the death of Ramo--the disappearance of the fortune--the visit of the doctor. It only wanted this latter, with the hints he had thrown out, to fire a train of latent suspicion in the young man's mind. There was that open window that the policeman had declared had not been used. Was he wrong? Had others been in the conspiracy and turned afterwards on Ramo and Charles? They might have been in the plot. Or, again, they might have been defending their master's wealth against the wretch who had escaped with the treasure by the open window. Those three Italians! Had they anything to do with the matter? The old butler! He seemed so quiet and innocent! But often beneath an air of innocency, crime found a resting place. Then he found himself suspecting Mr Girtle, and on the face of the evidence Capel laid before himself, the case looked very black. He knew everything; he held the keys--he, the old friend and companion, had been left merely a signet ring. "Impossible!" cried Capel, half aloud; "I might as well suspect Artis, or Miss Lawrence, or Katrine herself." "May I come in," said a voice that sent a thrill through the thinker, and Katrine D'Enghien stood in the doorway. "Come in? Yes," cried Capel, advancing to meet her with open hands, and moved by an impulse that he could not withstand. "Is anything the matter," she said simply. "Yes--no--yes, a great deal is the matter," cried Capel. "There, I must speak to you." "Mr Capel!" she said, half in alarm. "Forgive me if I seem impetuous," he cried, "but I am greatly troubled in mind, and I feel as if I would give anything for the sympathy of one who would listen to my troubles, and help me with her counsel." "Surely you have all our sympathy, Mr Capel," said Katrine, innocently. "Yes, I hope so," he cried earnestly, "but I want more than that, Katrine. You must know that I love you." "Mr Capel!" "Pray do not be angry with me." "Is this a time or season to make such a declaration to me, Mr Capel?" said Katrine, softly. "For some things--no, for other things--yes. I am in such sore need of help and counsel, such as could be given me by the woman who returned my love. No, no; don't leave me. Hear me out. As soon as I heard that will read, it filled my heart with joy, for it told me that I was rich, and that these were riches which I could share with you. Then, when the discovery was made that the treasure had been stolen, it was not the wealth that I regretted, but I despaired because it seemed that you were farther from me. But listen to me. I am trying hard to discover how this large fortune has been swept away." Katrine's eyes glittered. "Help me in my endeavours, and tell me this--some day if I make the discovery, and am once more in a position to ask you to be my wife--you will listen to me?"