sound of stealthy movements and subdued voices coming through the open window, and, rising, he looked out.  At first he could see nothing unusual.  It was just sunrise, and the river, at a little distance shimmering in the golden light, held him entranced by its beauty.  Then a slight rustling in the shrubbery near the lake attracted his attention.  The golden shafts of sunlight had not yet reached that small body of water, and it lay smooth and unbroken as the surface of a mirror, so clear at that hour that one could easily look into its depths.  Suddenly a light boat shot out from the side nearest the grove, breaking the smooth surface into a thousand rippling waves of light.  In the boat were two men, one of whom Scott instantly recognized as the detective; the other, who was rowing and had his back towards the house, seemed to be a stranger.  Some one concealed in the shrubbery called to the boatmen, whereupon they rowed across in that direction, stopping a few yards from shore.  Here they rested a few moments till the surface was again smooth, when, both men having carefully peered into the depths of the little lake, the detective proceeded to let down a drag into the water.

“By George!” Scott ejaculated, “the sly old fox is improving the opportunity, while every one is asleep, to drag the lake in search of whatever the coachman threw in there.  All right, my dear sir, go ahead!  But I’m somewhat interested in this affair myself, and I don’t intend that you shall monopolize all the facts in the case.”

Keeping an eye on the boat, he dressed quickly and, letting himself out at the front entrance, he hastened down the walk through the grove to the edge of the lake, keeping himself concealed among the trees.  The boat was moving slowly back and forth, and was now in such a position that Scott could see the face of the man rowing, who proved to be, as he had thought, a stranger.  On the other side, seated under the flowering shrubs and trees bordering the lake, was Joe, the stable-boy, watching proceedings with intense interest.  With a smile, the young secretary followed his example, seating himself at the foot of an ancient elm whose branches drooped nearly to the ground.

“All right, Mr. Detective!” he said, “I can stay as long as you.  If you fail to make a success of your work this morning no one will be the wiser, but in case you find anything I propose to know something about it myself.”

The sun was now shining brightly, but the hour was yet so early that there was little danger of any one else appearing on the scene, especially as it was Sunday morning.

For nearly an hour Mr. Merrick and his companion rowed slowly back and forth in constantly widening circles, meeting with no success and saying little.  Suddenly, while Scott was watching the face of the stranger, wondering who he might be, he heard a low exclamation and saw that the drag had fastened itself upon some object at the bottom of the lake.  He watched eagerly as they drew it to the surface, and could scarcely restrain a cry of astonishment as he saw what it was, but before either of the men could secure it, it had slipped and fallen again into the water.  With language more forcible than elegant, the drag was again lowered, and the boat once more began its slow trailing.