explained or explicable—­even Mr. Brown, the manager of the Safe Deposit, had run up against justice in Caracas—­save and except the identity of Ravengar’s accomplice during the last days.  He was enlarging upon the inscrutability of that part of the affair, and upon the interest which it lent to the whole episode, when Darcy, who had not been listening, broke in upon his observation with an inapposite remark which obviously sprang from deep feeling.

‘She’s simply marvellous!’ cried Darcy.

‘Who?’

‘Your wife.  Simply marvellous!  I had no idea—­in Paris—­’

‘Recollect, you are not in love with her, my friend,’ Hugo laughed.

’She must have the best blood in her veins.  With that style, that carriage, she surely must be—­’

‘My dear fellow,’ said Hugo, ’beauty has no rank.  It bloweth where it listeth.  It is the one thing in the world that you can’t account for.  You’ve only got to be thankful for it when it blows your way, that’s all.’

A white figure appeared in the cavity of the steps leading to the circular gallery.

‘What are you talking about?’ Camilla inquired.

‘Women,’ said Hugo.

THE END

* * * * *

BILLING AND SONS, LTD., PRINTERS, GUILDFORD.