He walked on some distance to where he had secured his horse, and mounting him in haste, rode away full of plans for his next day's happy mission to sorrowing hearts. CHAPTER XXXVI. It was the twenty-fourth of December and Mr. Lawrence sat alone in his elegant office at the bank, musing sadly before the glowing fire in the grate. The banker looked worn and sad, and now and then a heavy sigh parted his well-cut lips, and a dimness crept over his fine blue eyes. He was thinking of his beautiful elder daughter whose tragic death had well-nigh broken his fatherly heart. He brushed his handkerchief across his eyes and sighed heavily. There was a knock at the door and a clerk entered with Mr. Shelton's card. "Ah!" said Mr. Lawrence. "Show the gentleman in, Mr. Styles." Mr. Shelton entered with suppressed excitement beaming from every feature. His greeting ceremonies were brief and hurried. "Mr. Lawrence," he said directly, "I have a carriage in waiting outside. Will you do me the honor to ride several miles with me this morning?" "You have made some important discovery?" exclaimed Mr. Lawrence, rising excitedly. "Yes," answered the detective, "but I cannot explain until we are on our way. We have not a minute to spare!" They hurried out and took their places in the carriage. "Driver, you have your directions," said the detective to the man on the box. "Do not forget. Drive fast and overtake the other carriage if possible--if not, try and get within sight of it at least." "Is there another carriage?" inquired the banker, bewildered. "Yes," said Mr. Shelton. "I have sent a carriage ahead of us containing four policemen, and they are secretly following another carriage. The first carriage contains Doctor Pratt, Harold Colville, and a priest. They are on the way to the place where the body of your daughter is concealed, and we are on our way to secure and arrest them." "You are perfectly certain, I hope," said Mr. Lawrence, trembling with excitement. "Yes, success is assured," said Mr. Shelton, with a ring of triumph in his clear tone. "Thank God!" exclaimed the banker fervently. "At last my poor Lily's desecrated corpse may rest in a fitting sanctuary." He leaned over and wrung the detective's hand gratefully. "God bless you, my friend, for the patience and perseverance that have brought this result at last," he said. The detective was deeply moved by the emotion of the elder man. "Mr. Lawrence," said he, bending forward and speaking in low, impressive tones, "prepare yourself for a wonderful revelation! Are you strong enough to bear tidings of great joy?" "What do you mean, Mr. Shelton?" inquired the banker with a start. "Alas! what joyful tidings can come to me, broken-hearted as I am at the loss of my daughter?" The detective leaned forward and laid his hand on the banker's arm.