“Since we last saw each other,” he began, “I have been reckoning up the chances for and against us as we stand at present.  The result on my own mind is this:  If you are still at Aldborough when that letter from Zurich reaches Mrs. Lecount, all the pains we have taken will have been pains thrown away.  If your housekeeper had fifty brothers all dying together, she would throw the whole fifty over sooner than leave you alone at Sea View while we are your neighbors at North Shingles.”

Noel Vanstone’s flushed cheek turned pale with dismay.  His own knowledge of Mrs. Lecount told him that this view of the case was the right one.

“If we go away again,” proceeded the captain, “nothing will be gained, for nothing would persuade your housekeeper, in that case, that we have not left you the means of following us. You must leave Aldborough this time; and, what is more, you must go without leaving a single visible trace behind you for us to follow.  If we accomplish this object in the course of the next five days, Mrs. Lecount will take the journey to Zurich.  If we fail, she will be a fixture at Sea View, to a dead certainty.  Don’t ask questions!  I have got your instructions ready for you, and I want your closest attention to them.  Your marriage with my niece depends on your not forgetting a word of what I am now going to tell you.—­One question first.  Have you followed my advice?  Have you told Mrs. Lecount you are beginning to think yourself mistaken in me?”

“I did worse than that,” replied Noel Vanstone penitently.  “I committed an outrage on my own feelings.  I disgraced myself by saying that I doubted Miss Bygrave!”

“Go on disgracing yourself, my dear sir!  Doubt us both with all your might, and I’ll help you.  One question more.  Did I speak loud enough this afternoon?  Did Mrs. Lecount hear me?”

“Yes.  Lecount opened her door; Lecount heard you.  What made you give me that message?  I see no pictures here.  Is this another pious fraud, Mr. Bygrave?”

“Admirably guessed, Mr. Vanstone!  You will see the object of my imaginary picture-dealing in the very next words which I am now about to address to you.  When you get back to Sea View, this is what you are to say to Mrs. Lecount.  Tell her that my relative’s works of Art are two worthless pictures—­copies from the Old Masters, which I have tried to sell you as originals at an exorbitant price.  Say you suspect me of being little better than a plausible impostor, and pity my unfortunate niece for being associated with such a rascal as I am.  There is your text to speak from.  Say in many words what I have just said in a few.  You can do that, can’t you?”

“Of course I can do it,” said Noel Vanstone.  “But I can tell you one thing—­Lecount won’t believe me.”

“Wait a little, Mr. Vanstone; I have not done with my instructions yet.  You understand what I have just told you?  Very good.  We may get on from to-day to to-morrow.  Go out to-morrow with Mrs. Lecount at your usual time.  I will meet you on the Parade, and bow to you.  Instead of returning my bow, look the other way.  In plain English, cut me!  That is easy enough to do, isn’t it?”