he day arrived.

But then happened an event which none but Alec could in the least have
expected; and he, since his return from Africa, had been so taken up
with his love for Lucy, that the possibility of it had slipped his
memory.

Fergus Macinnery, the man whom three years before he had dismissed
ignominiously from his service, found a way to pay off an old score.

Of the people most nearly concerned in the matter, it was Lady Kelsey
who had first news of it. The morning papers were brought into her
_boudoir_ with her breakfast, and as she poured out her coffee, she ran
her eyes lazily down the paragraphs of the _Morning Post_ in which are
announced the comings and goings of society. Then she turned to the
_Daily Mail_. Her attention was suddenly arrested. Staring at her, in
the most prominent part of the page, was a column of printed matter
headed: _The Death of Mr. George Allerton_. It was a letter, a column
long, signed by Fergus Macinnery. Lady Kelsey read it with amazement and
dismay. At first she could not follow it, and she read it again; now its
sense was clear to her, and she was overcome with horror. In set words,
mincing no terms, it accused Alec MacKenzie of sending George Allerton
to his death in order to save himself. The words treachery and cowardice
were used boldly. The dates were given, and the testimony of natives was
adduced.

The letter adverted with scathing sarcasm to the rewards and
congratulations which had fallen to MacKenzie as a result of his
labours; and ended with a challenge to him to bring an action for
criminal libel against the writer. At first the whole thing seemed
monstrous to Lady Kelsey, it was shameful, shameful; but in a moment she
found there was a leading article on the subject, and then she did not
know what to believe. It referred to the letter in no measured terms:
the writer observed that _prima facie_ the case was very strong and
called upon Alec to reply without delay. Big words were used, and there
was much talk of a national scandal. An instant refutation was demanded.
Lady Kelsey did not know what on earth to do, and her thoughts flew to
the dance, the success of which would certainly be imperilled by these
revelations. She must have help at once. This business, if it concerned
the world in general, certainly concerned Lucy more than anyone. Ringing
for her maid, she told her to get Dick Lomas on the telephone and ask
him to come at once. While she was waiting, s