"Oh, I see you are bent on getting quit of the matter, Claude. But," and Tait shook a reproving forefinger, "you will change your mind after this interview with our hermit friend." "Why so?" "You will learn something which will astonish you. I only wish I could be present with you to see what occurs." "But if I make no reference to the case," said Larcher seriously. Tait waxed indignant on the instant, and spoke his mind freely. "Claude, my friend, I went into this matter solely on your account, and you owe it to me to see it through. If you find further investigation a bar to your marriage I will agree to let the matter drop. But first," added Tait, with emphasis, "you must make an effort to get the truth out of this man. Swear to him that you are resolved to push the matter to the end. Tell him that I have learned something new at Horriston. Mention the name of Louisa Sinclair. Then see the result. After hearing the story of Dicky Pental I am convinced that this man is Jeringham." "I will do all you say," replied Claude, after some hesitation, "but I am afraid that my pertinacity in this matter will prejudice my wooing." "If, at the end of the interview, you see that, withdraw your intention to go on with the case. Then out of gratitude he may give you his daughter. Bluff him first--yield afterward. In that way we may discover who Paynton is--what he has to do with the case, and why he is connected with Hilliston. Do you agree? Good! Give me your hand on that." The two men shook hands, though it was not without a secret qualm that Claude thus sealed the compact. After a pause he said: "And who is this Louisa Sinclair you make such a point of my mentioning to Paynton?" "Ah! That is my discovery," said Tait, rubbing his hands. "When I interviewed Mrs. Bezel I showed her a portrait of Mrs. Hilliston, whom curiously enough she had never seen--no doubt Hilliston has his reasons therefor. She seemed startled, but said nothing. Then she wrote to you about Louisa Sinclair." "But what has Louisa Sinclair to do with Mrs. Hilliston?" "Can't you guess? Miss Pike showed me a portrait of Louisa Sinclair taken twenty-five years ago. I did not then wonder at Mrs. Bezel's start, or that Hilliston had refrained from letting her see the picture of his wife. In a word, Louisa Sinclair and Mrs. Hilliston are one and the same woman." "Ah!" cried Claude, with a sudden recollection, "it was for that she was so afraid of your going to Horriston." "Yes. She thought I might learn too much. This is the beginning of the end, Claude." "What! Do you think Mrs. Hilliston knows anything of the case?" "According to your mother she knows a good deal. According to Miss Pike she is in possession of certain facts. Yes, I think Mrs. Hilliston can help us if she will." "But, my dear Tait," said Claude quietly, "Mrs. Hilliston is an American." "Ah! Louisa Sinclair went to America, and probably became a naturalized subject of the Stars and Stripes."