"I am speaking to Miss Monkton, am I not? I must apologise for intruding upon you, but I shall not keep you more than a few seconds. I came just to ask you, to know if--if--" she stammered so that she could hardly get her words out. "You wanted to know if--?" repeated Sheila encouragingly. She was terribly excited herself, but the calmer of the two. "Did you receive a portrait of a friend of yours, Lady Gladys Rainham, the envelope containing it directed in a strange handwriting?" "I did receive that portrait. At the time I did not notice the handwriting. I concluded it had been sent me by Lady Gladys herself." A sudden light dawned upon Sheila, as she spoke. "It was you who sent it, was it not?" "Yes, it was I, acting upon instructions." "By whom were those instructions given?" asked Sheila eagerly. The young woman's manner was more embarrassed than ever. "I am very sorry, but that I must not tell you. Later on, I daresay you will know all." "But you have something more to tell me, surely?" "Yes. That photograph was sent for a purpose. I called the other day, but you were out. It contains a message. Cut it in two, and you will find a letter inside." "I have already done so," was Sheila's reply. "When my friend Lady Gladys denied having sent it to me, I puzzled and puzzled over it. And then, I think it must have been in a dream, I recalled something that had happened long ago which set me on the right track. I went downstairs in the night, cut the photograph as you suggested, and found the message inside." The mysterious visitor looked towards the door, and made a movement of departure. "My task is done then, and I will detain you no longer." But Sheila stayed her impetuously. "But you will not leave me so abruptly. You can understand my terrible anxiety. You will relieve it by telling me what you know." In her agitation, she laid her hand upon the arm of her strange visitor, but the young woman freed herself, and advanced towards the door. "I can understand and sympathise with you," she said in a faltering voice. "But please do not press me, it is useless. I am under the most solemn promise to say no more. You must wait and be patient." In another moment she had left the room, leaving poor Sheila bewildered and tearful. Austin Wingate came later, was told of the strange visitor, and shown the message which had been contained in the photograph. He took her in his aims and kissed her fondly. "My darling, you must still be brave and patient," he said tenderly. She looked up at him with her sweet smile. "I have waited so long, Austin, I can wait a little longer, always providing that you are here to comfort me." Wingate did not leave her till late in the afternoon. The day was too far advanced for him to return to his office. He strolled to the Wellington Club.