"I am going now, dear madam," said the duke, rising.
He took Salome's hand, held it for a moment in his, while he gazed into her eyes, then pressed it to his lips, and so took his morning's leave of her.
The same forenoon he rode over to the Lone Station, and dispatched a telegram to the family solicitor, Kage.
CHAPTER X.
THE LETTER AND ITS EFFECT.
Mr. Kage arrived at Lone, within twenty-four hours after having received the duke's telegram. He reached the castle at noon and had a private interview with the duke in the library, when it was arranged that the will and the letter should be read the same afternoon in the presence of the assembled household.
"The letter also? Is not that a private one from the father to his daughter?" inquired the duke.
"No, your grace. There are reasons why it must be public, which you will recognize when you hear it read," answered the lawyer.
"Then I fear I have been mistaken in my private thoughts concerning it. Pray, will it give us any clue to the perpetrators of the murder?"