ey. I had little difficulty in guessing that
there had been something queer, but what it was did not cross my mind
for a long while. Even after I had a clew, I found Migratz a tough
customer, and for a long time I totally failed to identify Madame
Valfier. When, thanks to a series of chances, I did so, it was a shock
to me. She was the wife of a man of high position and high reputation.
She had contrived--she was a remarkable woman--to carry out this
expedition of hers without rousing any suspicion; she had returned to
her husband and children. Finding herself in danger, she took the bold
course of throwing herself on my mercy, and sent for me to Paris. It was
not my desire to rake up the story, to injure my brother's memory, or to
break up the woman's home. I pocketed the loss as far as I was
concerned. As for you, I didn't know you were concerned. I had never
gone into the details; I accepted the view which your own conduct, and
Lady Tristram's, suggested. I promised silence, guarding myself by a
proviso that I must speak if the interests of third persons were ever
affected. Your interests are affected now, and I have spoken, Mr
Tristram--or Lord Tristram, as I undoubtedly ought to say."

Harry turned to Mr Neeld with a smile and pointed at the leaves of the
Journal.

"There was something Cholderton didn't know after all," he said. "A
third date--neither the 18th nor the 24th! Twenty-four hours! Well, I
suppose it's enough!"

"It's enough to make all the difference to you," said Neeld. "It makes
the action you took in giving up your position unnecessary and wrong. It
restores the state of things which existed----"

"Before you and Mina Zabriska came to Blent--and brought Mr Cholderton?"
He sat smiling a moment. "Forgive me; I'm very inhospitable," he said,
and offered them cigarettes and whiskey.

Neeld refused; the Colonel took both.

"You may imagine with what feelings I heard your story," Edge resumed,
"and found that the Comtesse's fraud was really the entire basis of your
action. If I had been in England the thing need never have happened."

"It has happened," said Harry, "and--and I don't quite know where we
are." For the world was all altered again, just when the struggle of the
evening had seemed to settle it. The memory of the girl in the
restaurant flashed across his mind. What would she--what would she say
to this?

Colonel Edge was evidently rather a talkative man. He began again,
rather as thoug