"and would he know you?"

"I think not. I was heavily veiled, by Philip's order."

"Now, try to recall all that Philip has told you of this man."

"They were college students together. Philip said that Percy was
indolent and vain, and too fond of female society of any sort or
grade. He made wonderful progress in such studies as he chose to apply
himself to, and, had he been less of a sybarite, might have obtained
high rank as a scholar. But he was erratic, full of queer conceits,
and never made himself popular with either professors or students."

"Social standing not good, eh? Now, as to his finances."

Olive looked somewhat surprised at this question, but replied: "His
parents were not well to do, but he was a favorite with a rich old
uncle, who paid his college expenses and made him a liberal allowance.
However, he fell into disgrace just before his class graduated, and
his uncle cast him off. He never took his degree."

"What was the occasion of his disgrace?"

"Some scandalous affair with a mechanic's daughter; the particulars I
did not learn."

"Of course not. They are of no consequence. This happened how long
ago?"

Olive mused. "Philip is now thirty-three; this was twelve years ago."

"Good! Did he hear of Mr. Percy after that?"

"Yes; in less than a year, he married a wealthy woman, ten years his
senior, and a widow, so it was reported. Percy, it is said, denied
this marriage, and continued to live and go and come, like a bachelor.
If the marriage ever occurred, it was kept, for some reason, very much
under the rose. Be this as it may, Percy was always provided with
money from some source. He used to gamble sometimes, but was not an
habitual gamester. Philip said he was too much of a sybarite and
ladies' man to be wedded to such sports."

"Yet he played with Lucian Davlin, and lost heavily?"

"True."

"Well, is this all you have to tell of Mr. Percy?"

"Not quite. About a year before the catastrophe of the hunting party,
the uncle who had cared for him during his college career, died. Percy
inherited his wealth, the old man, after all, making his will in favor
of his graceless nephew." Olive paused for a moment, then added, "I
believe that is all I can tell you of this man. I have not seen or
heard of him since poor Philip was sent to prison."

Madeline sat gazing abstractedly into the grate fire, her hands
clasped in her lap, working restlessly, as was their habit, when she
was thinking de