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Feeling that it was his turn to say something, he remarked:
"I am dining with the Duchess to-night. Will you be there?"
"No," replied the young man with an unwonted air of decision. Never
again would he be seen in that austere old convent, built by the Good
Duke Alfred. Never again! Promptly, however, he toned down the
harshness of his answer by adding that the lady had very kindly asked
him to come, but he couldn't manage it, that evening.
"I shall have to console her about the burglary," continued the bishop.
"What burglary?"
Mr. Heard explained that the premises had been entered while the
Duchess was dining at Madame Steynlin's on the previous evening, the
night of the water-party. Evidently the work of a man who knew his
business. A man familiar with the ins and outs of the house. And a man
of taste, into the bargain. All the sham articles had been left
untouched; he had gone off with nothing but genuine things--a few
precious crucifixes and bonbonnieres. No one had the faintest idea who
the thief was.


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