VERITY RECEIVES A PROPOSAL
Comstock Bell put down the paper he had been reading.
He folded the journal, tucked it away out of sight, and looked at the clock on the mantelpiece. He had no misgivings now. He took up a letter from his table. It was from Mrs Granger Collak, and was dated Naples. He smiled as he thought of the bombshell he might have dropped before her. He heard the distant tinkle of a bell, and a minute later Parker entered.
"Miss Maple," he announced.
Comstock rose to meet her. She looked ethereal in her sorrow.
"I'm obliged to you for coming," he said. "Do you mind if I ask you what are your plans?"
"I have no immediate plans," she said; "Mr Gold has very kindly advanced me some money and has promised that his Government will find my uncle."
"His Government is mine,"
