What did it mean?
A false statement, on the stranger's part, without any intelligible reason for making it?
Or a second mystery, following close on the heels of the mysterious journey to London?
All the probabilities seemed to point to some hidden connection between the "family affairs" which had taken Mr.and Mrs.Vanstone so suddenly from home and the "family matter" associated with the name of Captain Wragge.

Miss Garth's doubts thronged back irresistibly on her mind as she sealed her letter to Mrs.Vanstone, with the captain's card added by way of inclosure.
By return of post the answer arrived.
Always the earliest riser among the ladies of the house, Miss Garth was alo ne in the breakfast-room when the letter was brought in.

Her first glance at its contents convinced her of the necessity of reading it carefully through in retirement, before any embarrassing questions could be put to her.

Leaving a message with the servant requesting Norah to make the tea that morning, she went upstairs at once to the solitude and security of her own room.
Mrs.Vanstone's letter extended to some length.

The first part of it referred to Captain Wragge, and entered unreservedly into all necessary explanations relating to the man himself and to the motive which had brought him to Combe-Raven.
It appeared from Mrs.Vanstone's statement that her mother had been twice married.