"I can't tell you. I only ask you to trust me." Ackworth looked at her closely. "Of course, I'll trust you." "That is true love," said Clarice, and kissed him. "Now, in the first place, I shall write this night to Sir Daniel, and ask him to come and see me. Then I can learn if indeed he wrote the letter which I have in my pocket. Next--and this is your share of the plot I have in my head--you must ask Ferdy down for a couple of days and nights to Gattlinsands. He is always glad to stop with you." "I'll do so willingly," said Anthony; "but why do you want him out of the way?" "You have answered your own question. I want him out of the way, because I want him out of the way." "What do you mean?" "I am mysterious, am I not? But in this case everything is now becoming extremely mysterious, and we must beat these people with their own weapons. I want to marry you; I want Ferdy to marry Prudence. To bring these things about I have to learn the meaning of these threats. When I know, then I can act." "But what do you intend to do?" asked Anthony, dubiously. "You promised to trust me." "Yes, but--but don't be rash." "Dearest, am I ever rash?" "No, you are a very level-headed girl, as I know. I'll trust you, only I hope you won't get into any difficulty." "If I do, I'll send for you at once. Now, when you get back to your quarters, write and ask Ferdy down for to-morrow night and for the next night." "I can ask him now. He's in the house." "No, I want you to ask him by letter. Write to him at Sir Daniel's." Anthony nodded. "Very good. Anything else?" "Yes. When Ferdy leaves you--in a couple of days--go up to London, and to Tea Street, Whitechapel." "What for, Clarice?" "To find out all you can concerning the young man who died of consumption there--the man who was one of the Purple Fern murderers. I want to know his name, and all about him." "What good will that do?" "It may lead us to discover the whereabouts of Osip. When we catch him, then we can be certain of his guilt, and both Sir Daniel and Zara will be unable to accuse Ferdy or Mr. Clarke. Do you see?" "In a way. And yet----" "No, don't raise objections, or ask questions. I know exactly how to act. When you learn what I want you to learn, come here and tell it to me. In the meantime, I'll be searching on my own account." "Not in Whitechapel I hope," said Anthony, quickly. "No, I am sending you to Whitechapel," she laughed. "Do you know, my dear boy, I am quite enjoying this excitement. It gives me something to do, and I love a life of action." She looked so brilliant, and her eyes were so bright, that Anthony did what any lover would have done under the like circumstances. He took her in his arms and kissed her. Then, as it was growing late, Clarice insisted that he should go, and escorted him to the door.