" I have something to say," she began, " and something to
give you. This letter is yours. It was found in the room,
sealed, directed and stamped, as though it were to be posted, a§
it would have been had you not come. Nothing has been dis-
covered for Greif, and this must have been written by Herr von
Rieseneck. You are older than Greif, though he is brave
enough, poor fellow. Here it is. Will you be alone to read
it ? I will go into the next room until you call me."

" Madam," answered Rex, taking the letter, " I will not trouble
you by any exhibition of my feelings, if you will stay here."

He looked at the superscription, and cut the envelope open
neatly with his pocket-knife so as not to break the seal. Frau
von Sigmundskron was too well-bred to watch his face while
he read the contents. Had she looked, she would have been
terrified.
GRBIFENSTEIN. 179

The note was very short, but it contained enough to shake
even Rex's calm nature.
