The letter inclosed announced that the lost five-hundred-pound note had been made the subject of careful inquiry in Paris.

It had not been traced.

The French police offered to send to London one of their best men, well acquainted with the English language, if Lady Lydiard was desirous of employing him.

He would be perfectly willing to act with an English officer in conducting the investigation, should it be thought necessary.

Mr.Troy being consulted as to the expediency of accepting this proposal, objected to the pecuniary terms demanded as being extravagantly high.