XII.--PHRIDA MAKES CONFESSION 117 XIII.--THE FUGITIVE'S SECRET 126 XIV.--REVEALS A FURTHER DECEPTION 136 XV.--AN EFFACED IDENTITY 144 XVI.--REVEALS ANOTHER ENIGMA 153 XVII.--CONCERNS MRS. PETRE 162 XVIII.--DISCLOSES THE TRAP 170 XIX.--THE SEAL OF SILENCE 179 XX.--FROM THE TOMB 187 XXI.--RECORDS A STRANGE STATEMENT 195 XXII.--"MARIE BRACQ!" 203 XXIII.--LOVE'S CONFESSION 213 XXIV.--OFFICIAL SECRECY 222 XXV.--FRÉMY, OF THE SURETÉ 231 XXVI.--SHOWS EXPERT METHODS 239 XXVII.--EDWARDS BECOMES MORE PUZZLED 248 XXVIII.--FURTHER ADMISSIONS 256 XXIX.--THE SELLER OF SHAWLS 265 XXX.--FACE TO FACE 274 XXXI.--SHOWS THE TRUTH-TELLER 284 XXXII.--IS THE CONCLUSION 294 THE SIGN OF SILENCE. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCES A GENTLEMAN. "Then it's an entire mystery?" "Yes, Phrida." "But it's astounding! It really seems so utterly impossible," declared my well-beloved, amazed at what I had just related. "I've simply stated hard facts." "But there's been nothing about this affair in the papers." "For certain reasons the authorities are not exactly anxious for any publicity. It is a very puzzling problem, and they do not care to own themselves baffled," I replied. "Really, it's the most extraordinary story of London life that I've ever heard," Phrida Shand declared, leaning forward in her chair, clasping her small white hands as, with her elbows upon the _table-à-deux_, she looked at me with her wondrous dark eyes across the bowl of red tulips between us. We were lunching together at the Berkeley, in Piccadilly, one January day last year, and had just arrived at the dessert. "The whole thing is quite bewildering, Teddy--an utter enigma," she exclaimed in a low, rather strained voice, her pretty, pointed chin resting upon the back of her hand as she gazed upon me from beneath those long, curved lashes. "I quite agree," was my answer. "The police are mystified, and so am I. Sir Digby Kemsley is my friend, you know." "I remember," she said. "You once introduced me--at the opening of the Motor Show at Olympia, I believe. A very brilliant and famous man, isn't he?" "Rather! A famous engineer. He made the new railway across the Andes, and possesses huge rubber interests in Peru. His name, both in Seina and Valparaiso, is one to conjure with," was my reply; "but----" "But what?" queried my well-beloved. "Well, there's one fact which greatly increases the mystery--a fact which is yet to be told." "What's that?" she asked eagerly. I hesitated.