"You want her back again?"

This from the detective, but very dryly.

"Yes. For she was not following her own inclinations in thus abandoning
me so soon after the words which made us one were spoken. Some influence
was brought to bear on her which she felt unable to resist. I have
confidence enough in her to believe that. The rest is mystery--a mystery
which I am forced to ask you to untangle. I have neither the necessary
calmness nor experience myself."

"But you surely have done something," protested Gerridge. "Telephoned to
her late home or--"

"Oh yes, I have done all that, but with no result. She has not returned
to her old home. Her uncle has just been here and he is as much mystified
by the whole occurrence as I am. He could tell me nothing, absolutely
nothing."

"Indeed! and the man, the one who whispered to her during the reception,
couldn't you learn anything about him?"

Mr. Ransom's face took on an expression almost ferocious.

"No. He's a stranger to Mr. Fulton; yet Mr. Fulton's niece introduced him
to me as a relative."

"A relative? When was that?"

"At the reception. He was introduced as Mr. Hazen (my wife's maiden name,