"You've got a picture of her!" Mark exclaimed excitedly. "Right here, in this study!" He half-rose from the leather chair. Peered into the corner behind him.
"It's gone!"
The professor's face was suddenly pale.
"That picture called 'Elaine Duchard's Escape'? The Jerbette? Is that the one you mean?"
"That's it. That's the one. Where is it?"
"It is gone," the savant answered grimly. "A genuine painting by Gustav Jerbette is worth a great deal of money. And I am not a wealthy man. When Adrian Vance offered to buy it—"
"Adrian Vance! That snake! He's the one who gave Elaine the mirror—"
The white-haired scientist was on his feet, his eyes suddenly very bright and cold. The veins stood out at his temples.
"I want to see that mirror!" he rapped. "This is the first time you have mentioned that it was he who sent it. Come on!"
Together they hurried down the stairs to the little room where the wedding gifts were on display. Mark started across toward the mirror. The professor's hand shot out. Caught the younger man's arm.