Nor was there any
quiver of that honest resentfulness he longed to see. Beneath Brand's
habitual manner of slightly ceremonious politeness and deference he
discerned uncertainty of thought and purpose.

"There's something wrong here," the physician was thinking, "something
woefully wrong. He doesn't seem to feel the monstrosity of what I've
almost been charging him with." Unconsciously he shook his head sadly
as he began to speak aloud:

"As I told you before, Felix, with the knowledge I have spent a
lifetime of hard work gaining, I don't need any better evidence than
my own eyes can give. I consider it as worthy of confidence as any
information I might have from another. That and my own intelligence
are the sole ground of my fears. These did have, however, some slight
corroboration in the rather mysterious manner and assurances of your
friend, Mr. Hugh Gordon."

At the sound of that name Brand faced sharply round upon the
astonished doctor, anger flaming in his face and eyes.

"That man!" he cried. "Are you taking his word against mine? He is my
worst enemy, and he will stop at nothing to injure me. He is a thief,
a murderer, or would be if he dared. I demand that you tell me what he
has been charging me with!"

Dr. Annister stared in amazement at this flare of hostility and wrath.
"You mistake me, Felix," he said quietly, although inwardly he was
wondering much as to the cause of the outburst. "I did not say he
charged you with anything, nor did he. On the contrary, he seemed to
me to be doing his best to execute a friendly office toward you. I
thought it strange that he should be so positive you were in no danger
of any sort and yet should not know where you were. He seemed sincere
and straightforward and the only hypothesis upon which I could
reconcile his two statements was one that strengthened what you call
my suspicions."

While the doctor spoke Brand had been moving about with quick steps
and sharp turns, scowling and muttering. "Oh, I know the fellow goes
about making this pretense of friendship," he said sullenly, "but
there's no trust to be put in him. He is bent on my ruin. But I'll get
even with him, I'll down him yet!"

He took another turn or two, apparently endeavoring to get himself
under control again, while Dr. Annister regarded him with gray brows
wrinkled thoughtfully. He began to feel, uneasily, that there was more
underneath this situation than he had guessed.

"Well, Felix," he said a