"I think I have a clue," he said simply. "I will be here again to-morrow
morning."

"But I shall be gone," said Frank.

"You will hardly be needed, anyway."

The artist gave a sigh of relief. He hated to be involved in unpleasant
things. He went as far as the outer door with his brother and the
detective. As he bade the officer good-night and hurried up the hall,
Frank put his hand to his head again with a convulsive gesture, as if
struck by a sudden pain.

"Come, come, Frank, you must take a drink now and go to bed," said
Oakley.

"I am completely unnerved."

"I know it, and I am no less shocked than you. But we 've got to face it
like men."

They passed into the dining-room, where Maurice poured out some brandy
for his brother and himself. "Who would have thought it?" he asked, as
he tossed his own down.

"Not I. I had hoped against hope up until the last that it would turn
out to be a mistake."

"Nothing angers me so much as being deceived by the man I have helped
and trusted. I should feel the sting of all this much less if the thief