"Still on the disagreeable subject of the death," remarked Curberry, who had a handful of flowers to offer. "I wish you wouldn't think of these things, Lillian--I beg pardon, Miss Moon. Please take these flowers and let me escort you and Mrs. Bolstreath out of the house. It's atmosphere is uncomfortable just now." He took no notice of Dan, but offered his arm to Lillian. With a swift glance at her lover, at Mrs. Bolstreath, at the room, the flowers, at anything save Dan's right foot, which was placed firmly on the scrap of paper, she accepted his offer. The chaperon followed, and when Curberry's back was turned she noticed that Halliday stooped swiftly to pick up the paper. But that he gave her a warning glance she would have asked an indiscreet question. As it was she went after her host and pupil, walking beside Dan, who had now slipped the paper into his trousers pocket. But Mrs. Bolstreath could not restrain her curiosity altogether. "What is it?" she whispered, as they walked into the entrance hall. "Nothing! Nothing!" he replied softly, "take Lillian home at once. I shall follow later," and with this Mrs. Bolstreath was obliged to be content, although she was desperately anxious to know more. "I wish I could escort you home," said Curberry, as the two ladies and he stood on the steps, "but my duty keeps me here for the inquest. Perhaps Mr. Halliday will oblige." "I am afraid not," said Dan stolidly. "I promised to meet my friend Mr. Laurance here. He is coming about the matter of Penn's death. Why, there he is," and sure enough, at a moment that could not have been better chosen, Freddy appeared up the avenue. "Well," said Mrs. Bolstreath, catching a significant glance from Dan. "We are not able to wait and chat. Lord Curberry, we detain you." "No! no! Let me walk for some distance with you," cried Curberry, and bareheaded as he was he strolled down the avenue between the two ladies. Laurance took off his hat and Lillian bowed graciously, as did Mrs. Bolstreath. But Lord Curberry took no notice of the reporter beyond a rude stare. "That's just as it should be," remarked Halliday, watching the man's retreating form, while Freddy came up to him, "you're just the man we want." "We?" echoed Laurance, glancing round. "Lillian and myself. See here, this is the note sent by Penn to her, and it asks her to do something which she has not been able to accomplish owing to our noble friend's vigilance." "What's that?" "I'm just going to find out. I haven't read the note as yet," and with a second glance to make sure that Curberry was at a safe distance Dan opened the piece of paper, and read it hurriedly. A moment later he slipped it again into his pocket and took Freddy's arm. "It's only a few lines saying that Penn has left a document which he wishes Lillian to read. It is to be found between the pages of the second volume of Gibbon's 'Decline and Fall.' Hum! So that is why Lillian wished to get into the library."