hink at all; I _know_ there's not a word of truth in it. Since
Alec arrived at Mombassa, he's been acclaimed by everyone, private and
public, who had any right to an opinion. Of course it couldn't last.
There was bound to be a reaction.'

'Do you know anything of this man Macinnery?' asked Boulger.

'It so happens that I do. Alec found him half starving at Mombassa, and
took him solely out of charity. But he was a worthless rascal and had to
be sent back.'

'He seems to me to give ample proof for every word he says,' retorted
Bobbie.

Dick shrugged his shoulders scornfully.

'As I've already explained to Lady Kelsey, whenever an explorer comes
home there's someone to tell nasty stories about him. People forget that
kid gloves are not much use in a tropical forest, and they grow very
indignant when they hear that a man has used a little brute force to
make himself respected.'

'All that's beside the point,' said Boulger, impatiently. 'MacKenzie
sent poor George into a confounded trap to save his own dirty skin.'

'Poor Lucy!' moaned Lady Kelsey. 'First her father died....'

'You're not going to count that as an overwhelming misfortune?' Dick
interrupted. 'We were unanimous in describing that gentleman's demise as
an uncommon happy release.'

'I was engaged to dine with him this evening,' said Bobbie, pursuing his
own bitter reflections. 'I wired to say I had a headache and couldn't
come.'

'What will he think if he sees you here?' cried Lady Kelsey.

'He can think what he likes.'

Canon Spratte felt that it was needful now to put in the decisive word
which he always expected from himself. He rubbed his hands blandly.

'In this matter I must say I agree entirely with our friend Bobbie. I
read the letter with the utmost care, and I could see no loophole of
escape. Until Mr. MacKenzie gives a definite answer I can hardly help
looking upon him as nothing less than a murderer. In these things I feel
that one should have the courage of one's opinions. I saw him in
Piccadilly this evening, and I cut him dead. Nothing will induce me to
shake hands with a man on whom rests so serious an accusation.'

'I hope to goodness he doesn't come,' said Lady Kelsey.

Canon Spratte looked at his watch and gave her a reassuring smile.

'I think you may feel quite safe. It's really growing very late.'

'You say that Lucy doesn't know anything about this?' asked Dick.

'No,' said Lady Kelsey. 'I wanted to give her this even