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CHAPTER X.


Alaric entered his sister's room a few mornings later. She was on the sofa, and alone. He asked how she felt, and then said—

"I have accidentally made a curious discovery just now." As he spoke he slowly paced the room with folded arms. "My opinion of your friend is rather strengthened by it."

She fixed her pince-nez on her nose, and looked at her brother anxiously. "Well?" is all she said.

"The man who followed her here a week ago is a lord. I was going up the stairs just after him, and picked up two envelopes that he had dropped. They were addressed to 'Lord Robert Elton, M.P., Carlton Club,' and had been forwarded from there to the Continental Hotel. If they had not been empty I should have taken them to his room. As it was, I thought it best not to annoy him by showing that I had learnt his real position."

"Certainly—quite right. But what has that to do with Elizabeth Shaw? Why do you say that———"

"That my opinion is strengthened about her? Because she knew who this Elton really is. She tells you she is annoyed at his following her here, but it is evident there