"You are evidently right, gentlemen. Neither the spurious marquis, nor his tutor, Mr. Baxter, can be found anywhere. I have discovered, too, that all their valuables and light luggage have been smuggled out of the house to-night without the knowledge of my servants. This is a terrible business. But I have given instructions, and the police will be communicated with at once. Now we must do our best to find the real Beckenham."
"Lord Amberley," said Wetherell, in a choking voice, "do you think one of your servants could tell my daughter to come to me at once? I am not feeling very well."
The Governor hesitated a moment, and then said—
"I am sorry to say, Mr. Wetherell, your daughter left the House an hour ago. A message was brought to her that you had been suddenly taken ill and needed her. She went off at once."
Wetherell's anxiety was piteous to see.
"My God!" he cried in despair. "If that is so, I am ruined. This is Nikola's revenge."
Then he uttered a curious little sigh, moved a step forward, and fell in a dead faint upon the floor.