it would be a pretty sort of game if they
could.

"I have laid before you," continued Mr.
Simpson, looking as though he were
engaged on the mastication of a very tough
mouthful indeed, "the proofs of the
performance of the marriage ceremony between
the late Sir John Gale and Miss Levincourt.
You are not at present prepared to
bring forward any testimony as to the hour
at which Lady Tallis Gale expired?"

"Mr. Frost is of opinion," said Mr.
Lovegrove, "that Mrs. Lockwood's testimony,
and that of the servant girl, will go to
prove——"

Mr. Lovegrove paused in his speech as
the door of his office was opened, and one
of his clerks appeared.

"I said that you were particularly
engaged, sir," said the young man, " but the
gentleman would take no denial. He said
that——"

"What do you mean by admitting any
one at this moment? Who is it?"

"Mr. Hugh Lockwood, sir," answered
the clerk, making good his retreat as Hugh
pushed past him and entered the room.

There was a momentary silence and
pause of expectation.

"Mr. Lockwood," said Mr. Lovegrove,
gravely, " I am sorry that you have chosen
this moment for insisting on seeing me. If
my clerk did not succeed in making you
understand that I am particularly engaged,
I must tell you so myself in plain terms."

"I ask pardon of you, and of these
gentleman," said Hugh, " but I think you
will excuse me when you know that the
business on which I come is precisely the
business you are engaged in discussing."

Hugh's manner was very resolute and
quiet. He looked like a man who has re-
cently subdued some strong emotion to his
will. Mr. Lane stared at him undisguisedly.
Mr. Simpson observed him in his ruminating
manner. Mr. Lovegrove made answer:
"May I inquire how you know what is the
business we are engaged in discussing?"

"If I mistake not, you are discussing the
legality of the second marriage of the late
Sir John Tallis Gale."

"Quite so," said Mr. Simpson. " Have
you any information to give us on the subject?"

"Yes."

"Mr. Lockwood," said Mr. Lovegrove,
hastily, " allow me to say one word. This
gentleman is acting on behalf of the lady
who calls herself Lady Tallis Gale. This
gentleman is the appointed executor of the
will of the late baronet. I am only sorry
that I cannot add that I am fully empowered
to act for Miss Desmond in this matter as
I should desire to do. From the peculiar
and painful circumstances of the case I
have not been able to urge Miss Desmond's
guardian who is co-trustee with me under
her mother's will to come forward and
look after her interests. But as far as my
legal knowledge and services can avail her,
they are entirely at her disposal. Now,
believing you to be the young lady's friend,
I strongly advise you to refrain from
volunteering any statement on this subject
at the present moment. Observe, I have
no idea of what nature your statement may
be. But I assure you that you had better
leave the matter in my hands."

"Mr. Lovegrove, you speak in a manner
which commands my sincerest respect, and
will certainly make Miss Desmond very
grateful. But I come here at Miss
Desmond's urgent request."

"Indeed, sir?" said Mr. Simpson, who
had listened attentively. " Are you a rela-
tive of the young lady's?"

Before Hugh could speak, Mr. Lane
answered in a hoarse whisper, " He's the
son of the person in whose house Lady
T. died."

Mr. Simpson's ruminating jaw moved
slowly, but he said nothing.

"I will answer for myself, if you please,
Mr. Lane," said Hugh, to whom the agent
was slightly known. Then, turning to Mr.
Simpson, he continued: " No, I am not a
relative of Miss Maud Desmond, but she is
my promised wife. Our engagement was
sanctioned by Lady Tallis, and by — Miss
Desmond's guardian."

Mr. Lovegrove made a little suppressed
sound with closed lips, and raised his eye-
brows in surprise.

"Oh," said Mr. Simpson, slowly, " oh,
indeed! And you have, you say, some
information to give respecting the hour at
which Lady Tallis died?"

"I have the only information to give
which can be of value: for I was the last
person who saw the poor lady alive."

The three men looked at each other,
without speaking. Mr. Simpson made his
face as nearly blank of expression as possible.
But there was a gleam of expectation
in Mr. Lovegrove's eyes as he turned
them again on Hugh.

"It happened in this way," proceeded
Hugh. " I will tell you the circumstances
as plainly and shortly as I can. On the
night preceding the day she died ——"