"Since there is no longer any doubt that the lady was your father's mother." Loo took the locket, looked at it with strangely glittering eyes and steady lips.

He gave a sort of gasp, which all in the room heard.

He was handing it back to the Vicomte de Castel Aunet without a word of comment, when a crashing fall on the bare floor startled every one.

A lady had fainted.
"Thank God!" muttered Dormer Colville almost in Barebone's ear and swayed against him.

Barebone turned and looked into a face grey and haggard, and shining with perspiration.