why I should give it, but I will. I don't wish you to see
my wife any more."

"This is very extraordinary, Kellynch! Why?"

"I've reason to believe that your old friendship has been the cause of
some talk--some scandal. I don't like it. I won't have it, and that's
sufficient. I insist on you avoiding her in future."

Nigel stared blankly.

"I can only agree of course. I'll do just as you tell me. But I think,
as we've known each other so long, that it would be only fair for you to
tell me what is your reason for thinking this."

Nigel walked up and down the room, turned suddenly and said: "What has
put this idea into your head?"

Percy hesitated a moment.

"I'll tell you if you like. But, mind, I want no explanations. I needn't
say," he glanced at the closed photograph, "that I could have no doubt
of any kind. ... But I have a right to choose my friends and my wife's
also."

"She doesn't object?"

Percy frowned and looked him straight in the face.

"I undertake to say she will not object. We'll make this conversation as
short as we can. You've asked me my reason and I'll give it you. I've
had a series of extraordinary anonymous letters concerning you."

Nigel stared, horrified.

"She knows nothing about it," continued Percy, "and I attach no
importance to them, except, as I say, they show that your acquaintance
must have been misconstrued, and I won't have a shadow ... on her."

"This is rather hard on me, Kellynch. However, I have the satisfaction
of knowing my conscience is absolutely clear, and of course, I'll do
just as you wish. Have you any objection to showing me the letters?"

After a moment's pause, Percy said:

"No. I don't know that I have. I've got them here. I meant to shove them
in the fire, but I'll let you read them first, if you like."

He went to a drawer, unlocked it, gave Nigel the letters, and watched
him while he read them.

* * * * *

The moment Nigel glanced at them he knew they were written by Mary. He
remembered by the dates when she had had the typewriter; he remembered,
even, seeing some of the white notepaper. He read them all. Then he
looked up and said:

"Kellynch, it's good of you to show these to me. I'm sorry to say I know
who wrote them. The earlier ones telling of the appointments are all
perfectly true, but entirely misrepresented. They can all be explained."

"I understand that," said Percy. "Of course the suggestion and the
i