"You dined with him?" echoed her lover.
"Yes—in order to try and learn something more. Did we not agree to keep a watchful eye upon him?"
"We did. But I fell into a cunningly devised trap on the night I disappeared," he said. "I will describe it to you later. Well, when you dined with the fellow, did you discover why he spends his evenings among those smart people in the West End?"
"No, Gerald; but I came to the conclusion that he is a very remarkable crook."
"Of that I'm certain, dear. We've both had proof of it. He knew we were watching him, and his intention, no doubt, was to get rid of both of us."
"Yes, I quite agree," replied the girl faintly, yet smiling into his face. Then she added: "Do you know, Gerald, that—that ever since I dined with Mr. Boyne I haven't been the same. I felt ill next morning, and gradually the illness increased, until I had to go to bed and the doctor came to see me."
Gerald Durrant knit his brows.
"By Gad!" he gasped. "I—I never thought of that! He invited you to dinner—eh?"
In reply to his question, Marigold described the chance meeting near the bank and the invitation that followed.
"Ah!" he exclaimed, after a pause. "He had got rid of me, and intended that you should die—truly a most diabolical plot! I see it all! But we will be even with him yet, darling—never fear!"