"I have yet to discover that," she answered, in a low voice. "But I will make the elucidation of the mystery the one object of my life. It is I alone who will avenge his murder." "Your very words betray your love for him," I exclaimed, disgusted. "I tell you it is not because I loved him," she protested, with indignation. "Then why do you seek revenge?" I demanded ruthlessly. "For reasons known to myself--reasons I refuse for the present to disclose," she replied, regarding me with unwavering glance. "And you expect me to again repose confidence in you, notwithstanding your steady refusal to explain anything?" I observed, with a laugh. "All I have told you now, Geoffrey, is the truth," she replied, looking earnestly into my eyes. "Once I deceived you, but I will never do so in future. I promise some day before long to explain all the facts to you; when I do so they will astound you. For the success of my plans I am compelled at present to preserve my secret, even from you." "What are your plans?" "Be patient, and you shall see." "You intend to avenge Dudley's death?" "I do; and something further," she said. "Only by the most careful investigation and the strictest secrecy can my plans be successfully carried out. Trust in me, Geoffrey. Tell me that you will reconsider your decision not to forgive me," she whispered, leaning upon my shoulder with one arm entwined affectionately about my neck, as was her habit. "And I will yet prove to you that I am an honest woman who has acted only in your interests." "In my interests? How?" I asked, amazed. "You shall know all later, when I have ascertained the truth." "Tell me one thing, Ella," I exclaimed, after a pause. "Have you any idea whether Dudley had any occupation?" "Occupation? I always understood he had enough money to be independent." Then taking from my vest pocket the object I had picked up from among the contents of the dead man's pockets displayed on the table in the Coroners's Court, I held it up to her, saying seriously,-- "Now, tell me truthfully, Ella, have you ever seen this in Dudley's possession?" She glanced at it for an instant, holding her breath, as across her blanched countenance there passed an expression of bewildered amazement. The object I held beneath her gaze was insignificant in itself, merely a small brass seal, but it bore the Warnham arms in exact imitation of the cut amethyst worn by the Earl. It was the seal which had been used to manufacture the duplicate of the envelope containing England's secret alliance with Germany. The suddenness with which I had produced it startled and nonplussed her. As I transfixed her blue eyes with my keen, suspicious gaze, her white lips moved, but no sound fell from them. Embarrassment held her dumb. CHAPTER NINE. THE BOND OF SECRECY. I held the small brass stamp towards her, inviting her to examine it, but she shrank back with an expression of terror and repulsion, refusing to touch it.