The Sign of Silence

"As a weaver of mysteries, Mr. William Le Queux has surely no equal. To dash about Europe in his company, hot on the heels of an enigma, is a pastime both exciting and exhilarating."--Johannesburg Star.

AMERICA.

"Mr. William Le Queux's popularity is steadily increasing. No writer has brought mystery and adventure to such a high degree of art. He never fails to enthral and entertain us."--New York Herald.

"Mr. William Le Queux's work is always excellent, and always exciting."--San Francisco Examiner.

"Not without good cause has Mr. Le Queux earned his very apt title, 'The Master of Mystery.'"--El Diario (Buenos Ayres).

AUSTRALIA.

"Mr. Le Queux is always fresh and original, and one can rely on being interested and amused by his stories."--Sydney Morning Herald.

"For mystery and sensation Mr. Le Queux cannot be beaten."--Melbourne Argus.

"Mr. Le Queux's large public are never satisfied. They always crave for more from his pen."--Christchurch Weekly Press (New Zealand).

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I.--INTRODUCES A GENTLEMAN 7

II.--THE SCENT 20

III.--DESCRIBES THE TRYSTING-PLACE 35

IV.--"DEAR OLD DIG" 45

V.--"TIME WILL PROVE" 54

VI.--THE PIECE OF CONVICTION 63

VII.--FATAL FINGERS 71

VIII.--CONTAINS FURTHER EVIDENCE 80

IX.--DESCRIBES THE YELLOW SIGN 89

X.--CHERCHEZ LA FEMME 97

XI.--IN WHICH AN ALLEGATION IS MADE 108

XII.--PHRIDA MAKES CONFESSION 117

XIII.--THE FUGITIVE'S SECRET 126

XIV.--REVEALS A FURTHER DECEPTION 136

XV.--AN EFFACED IDENTITY 144

XVI.--REVEALS ANOTHER ENIGMA 153

XVII.--CONCERNS MRS. PETRE 162

XVIII.--DISCLOSES THE TRAP 170

XIX.--THE SEAL OF SILENCE 179

XX.--FROM THE TOMB 187

XXI.--RECORDS A STRANGE STATEMENT 195

XXII.--"MARIE BRACQ!" 203

XXIII.--LOVE'S CONFESSION 213

XXIV.--OFFICIAL SECRECY 222

XXV.--FRÉMY, OF THE SURETÉ 231

XXVI.--SHOWS EXPERT METHODS 239

XXVII.--EDWARDS BECOMES MORE PUZZLED 248

XXVIII.--FURTHER ADMISSIONS 256

XXIX.--THE SELLER OF SHAWLS 265

XXX.--FACE TO FACE 274

XXXI.--SHOWS THE TRUTH-TELLER 284

XXXII.--IS THE CONCLUSION 294

THE SIGN OF SILENCE.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCES A GENTLEMAN.

"Then it's an entire mystery?"

"Yes, Phrida."

"But it's astounding! It really seems so utterly impossible," declared my well-beloved, amazed at what I had just related.

"I've simply stated hard facts."

"But there's been nothing about this affair in the papers."

"For certain reasons the authorities are not exactly anxious for any publicity. It is a very puzzling problem, and they do not care to own themselves baffled," I replied.

"Really, it's the most extraordinary story of London life that I've ever heard," Phrida Shand declared, leaning forward in her chair, clasping her small white hands as, with her elbows upon the table-à-deux, she looked at me with her wondrous dark eyes across the bowl of red tulips between us.

We were lunching together at the Berkeley, in Piccadilly, one January day last year, and had just arrived at the dessert.

"The whole thing is quite bewildering, Teddy--an utter enigma," she exclaimed in a low, rather strained voice, her pretty, pointed chin resting upon the back of her hand as she gazed upon me from beneath those long, curved lashes.

"I quite agree," was my answer. "The police are mystified, and so am I. Sir Digby Kemsley is my friend, you know."

"I remember," she said. "You once introduced me--at the opening of the Motor Show at Olympia, I believe. A very brilliant and famous man, isn't he?"