They have arrested him--the man I am going to marry----" She could get no further.
Mr.Clendon looked steadily, piercingly at Derrick; and Derrick, as if answering the look, shook his head slightly and shrugged his shoulders.
"Who is this ?" demanded the Inspector, impatiently; for, naturally, he was anxious to get his prisoner under lock and key.
"I am a friend of Miss Grant's and this gentleman," said Mr.Clendon.
"You need not explain, I have heard of the robbery.

I am on my way to the Hall.

The Marquess is--a friend of mine, an old friend.

One moment," he added to the Inspector, "I want to tell this gentleman you have arrested--under a mistake, I am convinced--that I am assured of his innocence, and that I charge myself with his defence." He held out his hand to Derrick as he spoke; the two men exchanged grips and looked into each other's eyes; and again Derrick was conscious of that peculiar thrill which he had felt when he first touched Mr.
Clendon's hand.
"Thank you, sir," he said, quietly.

"Will you please take care of Miss Grant--Celia?
I should like you to take her away now." "Come, my dear," said Mr.Clendon; and looking over her shoulder till Derrick had disappeared, Celia went with Mr.Clendon, her hand in his.
"Do you think you can tell me all you know about this terrible business ?" he said, when she had yielded to the relief of tears and was calmer and more composed.
Celia told him all she knew, and Mr.Clendon listened with attention and in silence.
"Of course, he is innocent," she wound up.