"You may well say so," said Mr. Shelton. "She has indeed proved herself a monster of ingratitude! But to-day she will find herself foiled and ruined. She has but a few hours remaining to her now of her fancied security and happiness." "God be thanked!" said the banker; "and, oh! Mr. Shelton, are we almost there? The time seems so long. Forgive a father's impatience, but you cannot imagine what suspense I suffer, what longings overwhelm me at the thought that I shall soon clasp my darling Lily to my heart again!" "We shall soon be there now. Patience, my friend," said the detective. "Believe me, I sympathize in your impatience to behold your daughter again." "You are a noble fellow, Mr. Shelton," said the banker. "You will not find me ungrateful." The carriage slackened its pace, and Mr. Shelton put his head out of the window. "We are there," he exclaimed in a voice that trembled with excitement and triumph, while his manly, handsome features beamed with joy. The carriage stopped and Mr. Shelton descended, followed by the banker, who trembled so that he could scarcely stand upon the ground. The four officers had already descended from their vehicle and stood respectfully awaiting Mr. Shelton's approach. The empty carriage of Pratt and Colville stood in waiting before the door. At a word from Mr. Shelton they all ascended the steps, and the detective rang a furious peal upon the bell. The summons was unanswered. Mr. Shelton rang again and again with a like result. "What will you do now?" asked Mr. Lawrence, in a perfect fever of dread and impatience. "Burst in the door!" said the detective, in a ringing voice. At the word the four officers fell to furiously with their clubs upon the door. A few moments of their impetuous battering sufficed to burst it in, and they all bounded tumultuously into the hall. A neat-looking maid-servant stood at the bottom of the stairway, looking frightened and indignant. It was none other than Mary Brown. "Woman," said Mr. Shelton, imperiously, "lead the way to Miss Lawrence's room immediately!" "It's against orders, sir," said Mary, sullenly. "No matter, do as I bid you!" thundered the impatient detective. "Miss Lawrence has company, sir, and the orders are not to admit any one." "Push her aside, men; we will hunt for Miss Lawrence ourselves," said the detective sternly. Strong hands forced Mary aside from her position on the stairway. Several domestics, attracted by the noise, had hastened up from the regions of the basement and stood staring stupidly, but did not offer any resistance to the officers' power. The men began to mount the stairs rapidly, and Mary Brown rushed frantically after them. "Oh! for the Lord's sake, gentlemen," she panted, "don't burst in the doors up-stairs, and let the poor crazy people out upon us. They will murder us all." "Will you do as we told you, then?" asked the detective, sharply.