"And very cunning. What is to be done now? You have failed." "I have not looked into everything yet, Miss Toat. I intend to call again on Madame Coralie." "I shall do so also," said Perry Toat, with determination; for she recollected the large reward, and felt anxious to obtain it. Her visitor did not wish to forbid her calling again at the Pink Shop, as such a request might have awakened Miss Toat's suspicions. So she said nothing, feeling certain that Madame Coralie was perfectly well able to look after herself. Meanwhile, Miss Toat, having gathered all she wished to learn, and feeling a faint suspicion that Audrey had not told her everything, made up her mind to look into things for herself. Then she turned the conversation, so that Miss Branwin should not gather her intentions. "You made a conquest the other day," said Miss Toat, while Audrey rose to take her leave and smoothed her gloves. "Really!" The girl blushed. "What do you mean?" "Colonel Ilse fell in love with you." Audrey blushed again. "That nice military man who came as I went yesterday, you mean, don't you? He is really charming--such a nice smile. If I wasn't engaged to Mr. Shawe I might follow up my conquest." Miss Toat shook her head. "You would be disappointed. Colonel Ilse has buried his heart in the grave of the wife who died over twenty years ago. If he can only find the daughter who was stolen from him he will be quite content." "Then I must be the same with Ralph," said Audrey, laughing. "Do you know, Miss Toat, Colonel Ilse put me in mind of someone. I can't think who." The detective nodded. "Curious you should say that. I had an idea that I had seen someone like him. But then, these military men are all cut to one pattern. See one and you see the lot. Ah! Come in!" She raised her voice as a knock came to the door. Ralph entered, looking smart and lover-like. "Here I am, Audrey," he said. "Oh!" laughed Perry Toat, rebukingly, "do you think that this is Cupid's Bureau? What an unromantic place to meet in." "We have to meet in all manner of places," said Audrey, with a smile. "My father doesn't approve of our marriage, and will not let Mr. Shawe come to the house. Good-day, Miss Toat. We must be off." When she went out, looking up into her lover's face, Perry Toat sighed. The little office seemed more dingy than ever now that rosy love had flown away. The detective returned to her papers rather discontentedly. She also wished to walk out with a lover; but there was no chance of that unless she gained this one thousand pounds which Sir Joseph Branwin offered for the detection of his wife's assassin. The episode of Ralph meeting Audrey at the office, and the sight of their love, made the little woman more determined than ever to win the reward. "They are the butterflies," said Miss Toat, shuffling her papers, "and I am only the grub as yet."