can help you."

"Perhaps; we will see."

So we turned and retraced our steps to the house of mourning, where,
having pleaded urgent consultations with patients, I took leave of
Ethelwynn. We were alone, and I bent and kissed her lips in order to
show her that my love and confidence had not one whit abated. Her
countenance brightened, and with sudden joy she flung her arms around
my neck and returned my caress, pleading--"Ralph! You will
forgive--you will forgive me, won't you?"

"I love you, dearest!" was all that I could reply; and it was the
honest truth, direct from a heart overburdened by mystery and
suspicion.

Then with a last kiss I turned and left her, driving with Ambler
Jevons to catch the London train.

CHAPTER XXVI.

AMBLER JEVONS IS BUSY.

The sleepy-eyed tea-blender of Mark Lane remained plunged in a deep
reverie during the greater part of the journey to town, and on arrival
at King's Cross declined to allow me to accompany him. This
disappointed me. I was eager to pursue the clue, but no amount of
persuasion on my part would induce him to alter his decision.

"At present I must continue alone, old fellow," he answered kindly.
"It is best, after all. Later on I may want your help."

"The facts I've told you are of importance, I suppose?"

"Of the greatest importance," he responded. "I begin to see light
through the veil. But if what I suspect is correct, then the affair
will be found to be absolutely astounding."

"Of that I'm certain," I said. "When will you come in and spend an
hour?"

"As soon as ever I can spare time," he answered. "To-morrow, or next
day, perhaps. At present I have a very difficult task before me.
Good-bye for the present." And hailing a hansom he jumped in and drove
away, being careful not to give the address to the driver while within
my hearing. Ambler Jevons had been born with the instincts of a
detective. The keenness of his intellect was perfectly marvellous.

On leaving him I drove to Harley Street, where I found Sir Bernard
busy with patients, and in rather an ill-temper, having been worried
unusually by some smart woman who had been to consult him and had been
pouring into his ear all her domestic woes.

"I do wish such women would go and consult somebody else," he growled,
after he had been explaining her case to me. "Same symptoms as all of
them. Nerves--owing to indigestion, late hours, and an artificial
life. Wants me to order her to Carlsbad or