But to this Marie and Alan paid no attention, since they were wrapped up in one another. The girl felt quite happy in Fuller’s company and occasionally glanced at his meditative face. Alan appeared to be thinking deeply, and apparently of something not connected with herself. With the natural jealousy of a woman in love, Marie could not permit this. “What are you thinking about, dear?” she asked suspiciously. “About Morad-Bakche!” Miss Inderwick opened her eyes on hearing this strange name. “Who is he?” “He is an Indian gentleman, dear, whom I met at Miss Grison’s.” “Why should you think about him just now when I am here, Alan?” Fuller answered the first part of the question, and passed over the latter. “I am wondering if he has anything to do with the peacock?” This remark put an end to Marie’s egotism for the time being. “Why should he have anything to do with it?” she demanded, astonished. “Well,” exclaimed the young man quietly, “he has come to England, so he told me to search for some mislaid family property. He is descended from that Rajah of Kam to whom George Inderwick was sent by the H.E.I.C., my dear.” Marie, having read and re-read the story of Ferrier grasped the connection at once. “Then he knows about the peacock?” she cried in dismay. “That is what I wish to learn. The Begum of Kam certainly gave the jewels we are looking for to George Inderwick, from whom they descend to you, so as Morad-Bakche represents the Kam family it is just possible that he has come to get back the gems if he can.” “He sha’n’t have them,” cried Marie, becoming flushed, “don’t let him take them, Alan.” Fuller laughed. “We have to find them first,” he remarked coolly. “When we have them in our possession, then we can talk over Morad-Bakche’s claim.” “He sha’n’t have them,” murmured Marie, much disturbed; “they are mine. And after all, Alan, he may not have come for the Begum’s treasure.” “He may, or he may not. I am unprepared to give an opinion. Only it is so strange that he should live at Miss Grison’s boarding-house, considering that she knows about the peacock, which is to reveal the whereabouts of what the man probably desires. He didn’t get to that boarding-house by chance, I am certain. And Dick fancies also—by his sixth sense, as he declares—that Morad-Bakche may have designs on the treasure.” “It is very strange,” said Miss Inderwick, pondering over this speech; “but how could he find out that Miss Grison knew about the peacock?” “We must learn. Have you ever seen an Indian gentleman in the village, my dear, or haunting The Monastery?” “No. If I had I should have told you, or would have written about it. We see so few people about here, Alan—strangers that is—that anyone new is quickly noticed.” “Well, you may not have seen the man, but others may have. Who is the greatest gossip in the village?” “Oh, Alan, as if you didn’t know, when your mother is always talking about her. It’s Mrs. Verwin, of course.”