The situation now became utterly bewildering. In an instant I recognised the exact position. My well-beloved was not so enthusiastic as myself. She seemed terrified at the man's terribly sudden end, and at the same time she held herself aloof from me. She held a secret, one which, as she had frankly told me, she would never divulge--not even to me. How could there be perfect love without perfect confidence? Again another difficulty was presented. "I saw the report upon the posters in the streets, bought a paper, and learnt the truth," explained Lucie. "I then took a cab at once to Porchester Terrace in search of Ella, and brought her straight here to you." "The fellow has got his deserts," I said, in triumph. "He richly deserved such an ignominious end." "He supped with my father and myself at the Savoy last night, and drove home with us," Ella said. "He left us about one o'clock, and promised to call and take me shopping in Bond Street at ten this morning, but never came." "And he will never trouble you more, darling," I exclaimed, amazed that Himes should have acted with such daring so quickly after his terrible revenge upon Miller. It showed how unscrupulous and determined he was to carry out the threat that had escaped his lips. "You are mine at last--mine! _mine_!" I cried, pressing her again to me and covering her lips with kisses. But she did not return my caresses. She only pushed me forcibly from her, saying huskily:-- "It is true that man is dead, Godfrey--that I have no further fear of him--that my secret is safe. But you must give me time to think, Godfrey." "Yes," urged her friend. "You must allow her time. The news of the fellow's sudden end has upset her. The release has been so sudden that she cannot yet realise it. Release has also come to me," she added. "Ah! you do not know the truth, Mr Leaf--it is surely stranger than any fiction ever written." "And may I not know it?" I asked quickly. "Remember that you have taken me into your confidence up to a certain point. Is Ella aware of the truth?" "I think not," she faltered, with a hard expression on her face. "It is a disgraceful truth. Since my poor father's death I have made certain startling discoveries that place matters in an entirely new light. I have been examining his private papers, and they have revealed to me facts which, so infamous, cause me to hide my face from you in shame. I--I am not fit to be your associate or friend of Ella," she added, in a hoarse painful whisper. "I confess to you both, because you have been my friends. I confess everything, even the fact that I learnt only three days ago." "What's that?" I inquired. "That I am, after all, what the world calls an adventuress--the daughter of an international thief!" was her low answer, her chin sunk upon her breast in an attitude of shame. "My poor father, whom I adored, was only a thief!" and she burst into tears.