Ackworth shrugged his shoulders. "He can best explain that. I am quite prepared to state on oath that I saw Mr. Horran with the Purple Fern man at the Shah's Rooms. But, of course, as you say, I may be exaggerating. Everything I say may be explained by Mr. Horran, but only he can put things right." At this point of the conversation, Dr. Jerce returned to the drawing-room, looking rather perturbed for so serene a man. He was drawing on his gloves as he entered. "Where is Ferdinand?" was his first question, as he cast a look round. "Upstairs, lying down," said Clarice, "don't you remember he--" "Yes! yes!" Jerce turned to the door again. "I know where his room is. I must see him before I go." He glanced at his watch. "I'll just have time for a short conversation before I catch this three o'clock train. Excuse me, Miss Baird, but--" "Doctor, stop--stop. What is the matter with Uncle Henry?" "He is annoyed by Mr. Clarke." "About the loan?" asked Clarice, quickly. Jerce looked at her, astonished. "Yes. Do you know about that?" "Mr. Clarke himself told me, and said that you did not want him to see Uncle Henry about it." "I certainly did not," said Jerce, decidedly. "Clarke is always in difficulties, and Horran has been very good to him. His talking of incessant trouble would only irritate Horran, so I would not allow him to enter the house. But it seems that Mr. Clarke slipped in through the French window, and made trouble to-day, while Chalks was out. I have promised to see Clarke when I return here again, and to arrange that the interest of the loan stands over for another six months, which will give him time to turn round, as it were. But I wish he had not forced his way into the sick-room. He has done harm." "But, doctor, about the Purple Fern?" "Oh, Horran talked about that; but I have managed to set his fears at rest. He thinks he may be murdered, so I have told Chalks to stay with him all night. To-morrow, the Scotland Yard people will take up the matter. I'll go to the Yard to-night, and tell everything we have discovered; also, I'll give in the gold box as evidence." "And don't you think--" began Ackworth, when Jerce cut him short. "I have no time to talk," he said, impatiently. "I must see Ferdinand and then catch this train, as I have much to do. Miss Baird, your guardian is rather feverish with excitement; you had better not see him to-night. To-morrow, I'll come down again." And with these final instructions, Jerce slipped out of the room. Clarice and Anthony looked at one another. "I shall see Uncle Henry for all that," said Clarice, determinedly. "No! no. Better obey the doctor's instructions," urged Anthony, "after all, what we have to say will keep until to-morrow." "But I am so worried." "I know, darling--I know." He slipped his arm round her slender waist. "But it is best to settle this perplexing business in a ship-shape way. Leave Mr. Horran alone for to-night."