"I couldn’t help overhearing you," she said, coming forward. "I, too, doubted that man—very strongly. I am sure he meant no good. But what I want to say, Cousin Charles, is that you must remain here to-night. If you go out of the house, I shall go also." Forsyth shot a grateful look at her. "The best possible plan," he said, quickly. "Now, don’t be obstinate, Duke. The man has left the premises, I presume? Good! That being so, we shall be a poor lot if we can’t prevent his getting in again, which he is hardly likely to attempt. There is nothing to hinder you from spending a quiet night here, without the slightest risk of unpleasantness either to Sybil or to yourself, and in the morning you and I can talk over your future movements at leisure." "And I quite meant what I said," Sybil added, firmly. "If you won’t stay here, you will put me to the inconvenience of turning out and going to an hotel at twelve o’clock at night. I have no intention of being forced into the horrid feeling that I am keeping you from the shelter of your own roof." Under the pleading of the two pairs of kindly eyes turned on him Beaumanoir wavered. The chance of sleep and rest was tempting. He stepped to the door, and found Prince in the great entrance-hall. "That man who called himself a detective has gone?" he inquired. "You are sure there is no mistake about it? You showed him to the door yourself, and saw him out?" "And secured the door immediately afterwards, your Grace. Mr. Forsyth will bear me out in that; I had to withdraw the bolts to admit him." Beaumanoir returned to the drawing-room. "You are both very good, and I will stay for to-night only," he assented. "I wish I could make the explanation I owe you, but—well, I am the victim of circumstances." "The explanation will keep," said Forsyth, bluntly. "May I stay too?" The permission was, of course, accorded, and Sybil bade them good-night and retired to her room, giving orders on the way for two adjoining bedrooms to be prepared for them. The two men went into the smoking-room for a whisky and cigarette while the rooms were being got ready; but each with tacit consent avoided the topic of the moment. The one idea in Alec’s mind was to let Beaumanoir have a good sleep, and persuade him into a serious discussion in the morning.