t imagine."

"I do so, sir," the Duke answered, "because during the last two or
three days cheques for a considerable amount have been honoured at my
brother's bank, bearing your endorsement. I may add, sir, that I came
down here to see my brother. I wished to explain to him that you were
not a person with whom it was advisable for him to play cards."

Forrest took a quick step forward.

"Sir," he exclaimed, "you are a liar!"

The Duke bowed.

"I do not quote my own opinion," he said. "I speak from the result of
the most careful investigations. Your reputation you cannot deny. Even
at your own clubs men shrug their shoulders when your name is
mentioned. I will give you the benefit of any doubt you wish. I will
simply say that you are a person who is suspected in any assembly where
gentlemen meet together, and that being so, as my brother has
disappeared from this house after several nights spent in playing cards
with you, I am here to learn from you, and from you, sir," he added,
turning to Cecil de la Borne, "some further information as to the
manner of my brother's departure, or to remain here until I have
acquired that information for myself."

The Princess rose to her feet and laid her hand upon Forrest's
shoulder. The veins were standing out upon his forehead, and his face
was black with anger. He seemed to be in the act of springing upon the
man who made these charges against him.

"Nigel," she said, "please let me talk to the Duke. Remember that,
after all, from his own point of view, what he is saying is not so
outrageous as it seems to us. Cecil, please don't interfere," she added
turning towards him. "Duke," she continued, speaking firmly, and with
much of the amiability gone from her tone, "you are playing the modern
Don Quixote to an extent which is unpardonable, even taking into
account your anxiety concerning your brother. Lord Ronald was a guest
here of Mr. De la Borne's, and to the best of my knowledge he lost
little more than he won all the time he was here. In any case, on Major
Forrest's behalf, and as an old friend, I deny that there was any
question whatever as to the fairness of any games that were played.
Your brother received a telegram, and asked to be allowed the use of
the car to take him to Lynn Station early on the following morning. He
promised to return within a week."

"You have heard from him since he left?" the Duke asked quickly.

"We have not," the Princess answered. "Only