“On the day when it is recovered, Mr. Hartright, you will have a case. If you have any prospect, at this moment, of getting at it⁠—tell me, and we shall see if I can advise you.”

I considered. The housekeeper could not help us⁠—Laura could not help us⁠—Marian could not help us. In all probability, the only persons in existence who knew the date were Sir Percival and the Count.

“I can think of no means of ascertaining the date at present,” I said, “because I can think of no persons who are sure to know it, but Count Fosco and Sir Percival Glyde.”

Mr. Kyrle’s calmly attentive face relaxed, for the first time, into a smile.