"Examine the servants first, your grace; as I may thereby gain some clew to follow in my search." "Very well," said the duke, again touching the bell. The prompt footman re-appeared. "Whom do you wish called first?" inquired the duke. "The lady's maid," answered the detective. "Go and tell the duchess's maid that she is wanted here immediately," said the duke. The footman bowed and went away on his errand. A few minutes passed, and the lady's maid entered. "This is--I really forget your name, my good girl," said the duke, apologetically. "Margaret, sir; Margaret Watson," said the lady's maid, with a courtesy. "Ay. This is Margaret Watson, the confidential maid of her grace, Mr. Setter. Margaret, my good girl, Mr. Setter wishes to put some questions to you, relating to the disappearance of your mistress. I hope you will answer his inquiries as frankly and fearlessly as you have answered ours," said the duke, as he took up a paper for a pretext and walked to the other end of the library, leaving the detective officer at liberty to pursue his investigations alone. It is needless for us to go over the ground again. It is sufficient to say that Detective Setter questioned and cross-questioned the girl with all the skill of an old and experienced hand, and at the end of half an hour's sharp and close examination, he had obtained no new information. The girl was dismissed, with a warning not to talk of the affair. And she was followed by the housekeeper, with no better result. Thus all the domestics of the establishment were called and examined singly; but without success. When the last servant was done with, and sent out of the room, the detective walked up to the duke. "Well, Mr. Setter?" inquired the latter. "Your grace, I have learned nothing from the servants but what you have already told me." "Do you still wish to search the premises?" "If your grace pleases. And I wish to begin with the apartments of the duchess." "Then follow me. I myself will be your guide," said the duke, leading the way from the library. It would be useless to accompany the detective in this third search. Let it be sufficient to say that this search was thorough, complete, exhaustive, and--unsuccessful. It was late in the day when it was finished, and the duke and the detective returned to the library. "You now perceive Mr. Setter, that a day has been lost in these repeated searchings and questionings, and no new information, no sign of a clew to the fate of the duchess has been gained. In an hour I must leave the house to catch the Great Northern Night Express. I leave--I am _forced_ for the present, to leave the fate of my beloved wife in your hands. In saying that, I say that I leave more than my own life in your keeping. Use every means, employ every agency, spend money freely, the day you bring her safely to me, I will deposit ten thousand pounds in the Bank of England to your account."