"No, not for a single moment.

But I suppose poor Robert was attached to him from long association." Barrant nodded in an understanding way.

"Then this man Thalassa must have known your niece from childhood," he said in a casual tone.

"Was he attached to her, do you think ?" "I know nothing of that." "That's rather a pity," he said with a gentle shake of the head.

He looked at her knowingly.
"I do not understand you," she faltered.
"You had grounds for your suspicions of Thalassa--reasonable grounds.