ngst them took this way
of paying off old scores.

It was suggested by one of the anonymous writers that Trent's continued
presence in the district was felt to be a blot on the fair fame of
Monkshaven; and, by another, that should the rumours now flying hither
and thither concerning the imminence of a European war materialize into
fact, the French Foreign Legion offered opportunities for such as he.

Garth tore the letters into fragments, pitching them contemptuously into
the waste-paper basket; but, nevertheless, they were like so many gnats
buzzing about an open wound, adding to its torture.

Black Brady, with a lively recollection of the few days in gaol which
Trent had procured him in recompense for his poaching proclivities, was
loud in his denunciation.

"Retreated, they calls it," he observed, with fine scorn. "Runned away's
the plain English of it."

And with this pronouncement all the loafers round the hotel garage
cordially agreed, and, subsequently, black looks and muttered comments
followed Garth's appearance in the streets.

To all of which Garth opposed a stony indifference--since, after all,
these lesser things were of infinitely small moment to a man whose whole
life was lying in ruins about him.

"It was good of you to ask me over," he told Herrick, as they shook
hands. "Sure you're not afraid of contamination?"

"Quite sure," replied Miles, smiling serenely. "Besides, I had a
particular reason for wishing to see you."

"What was that?"

Miles unlocked the drawer where he had laid aside the papers he had
perused with so much interest two days ago, and, slipping them out of
the elastic bands that held them, handed them to Trent.

"I'd like you to read those documents, if you will," he said.

There was a short silence while Trent's eyes travelled swiftly down
the closely written sheets. When he looked up from their perusal his
expression was perfectly blank. Miles could glean nothing from it.

"Well?" he said tentatively.

Garth quietly tendered him back the letters.

"You shouldn't believe everything you hear, Herrick," was all he
vouchsafed.

"Then it isn't true?" asked Miles searchingly.

"It sounds improbable," replied Trent composedly.

Miles reflected a moment. Then, slowly replacing the papers within the
elastic band, he remarked--

"I think I'll take Sara's opinion."

If he had desired to break down the other's guard of indifference, he
succeeded beyond his wildest expect