"Pardon, but I have not said that, Duke. It is possible, of course, and there is a suggestiveness about it which---- Oh! well, I shall know more about that when I go down to Valehampton and look into the matter at close quarters. And now may I venture to ask a question touching upon more personal matters? I distinctly remember reading that, at the time of making known Lady Adela's engagement eleven months ago, you chose the opportunity to declare also your intention of taking another wife. Is that so?" "It is perfectly true. The fact is now public property. If all goes as planned, I shall be married to Lady Mary Hurst-Buckingham this coming autumn." "I see. One other question, please. Your first marriage never having been blessed by a son, the heir to your title and estates--failing, of course, direct issue in the future--is, I believe, the son of a distant cousin, one Captain Paul Sandringham?" "That, too, is true." "You have no very great respect for that gentleman, I imagine. Is that a fact?" "Your pardon, Mr. Cleek," replied the duke, stiffly. "I am afraid I cannot enter into a discussion of my personal affairs. They cannot concern Scotland Yard, nor have any bearing upon the matter in hand." "That, I fear, Your Grace," said Cleek quietly, "is a matter upon which I may be the better judge. One should be as frank with one's detective as with one's doctor. Each has the greatest interest in being able definitely to lay his finger upon the root of a disease, and each may become useless if perfect confidence be not given with regard to all points." "I ask your pardon, Mr. Cleek. I did not at first see it in that light. I admit it then: I have no respect for Captain Sandringham--none whatever. He is a person of dissolute habits and very questionable ways. He left the Army under compulsion, but he still retains the title of 'Captain.' People of any standing, however, no longer receive him." "So that, naturally, he will not be invited to share in the festivities in connection with Lady Adela's wedding?" "Most emphatically he will not! I have not written to him, spoken to him, nor even seen him these ten years past. That, however, would not prevent his inheriting both the title and estates were I to die without male issue. I have not the slightest doubt that he has raised money on the anticipated reversion, which he will now, of course, be obliged to pay back. I don't know how he will manage it, nor do I care." "H'm! Yes! I see! So then your marriage would be something in the light of a severe blow to the gentleman, of course. In England is he?" "I haven't the faintest idea. The last I heard of him he was on the Continent somewhere. But that was ten years ago, and I have forgotten the exact place. It would be where there is gaming and life of that sort, of course." "Quite so--if one is given to that sort of thing. Mr. Narkom!" "Yes, old man?" "Don't happen to know the market price for fullers' earth in bulk, do you?"