nts, though not of so passionate a
nature as the other, were of a sufficiently incriminating character.

He put it down upon the table by the side of the first and waited for
Mr. Quest to go on.

"I have other evidence," said his visitor presently, "but you are
probably sufficiently versed in such matters to know that these
letters alone are almost enough for my purpose. That purpose is to
commence a suit for divorce against my wife, in which you will, of
course, in accordance with the provisions of the Act, be joined as
co-respondent. Indeed, I have already drawn up a letter of instruction
to my London agents directing them to take the preliminary steps," and
he pushed a third paper towards him.

Edward Cossey turned his back to his tormentor and resting his head
upon his hand tried to think.

"Mr. Quest," he said presently in a hoarse voice, "without admitting
anything, there are reasons which would make it ruinous to me if such
an action were commenced at present."

"Yes," he answered, "there are. In the first place there is no knowing
in what light your father would look on the matter and how his view of
it would affect your future interests. In the second your engagement
to Miss de la Molle, upon which you are strongly set, would certainly
be broken off."

"How do you know that I am engaged?" asked Edward in surprise.

"It does not matter how I know it," said the lawyer, "I do know it, so
it will be useless for you to deny it. As you remark, this suit will
probably be your ruin in every way, and therefore it is, as you will
easily understand, a good moment for a man who wants his revenge to
choose to bring it."

"Without admitting anything," answered Edward Cossey, "I wish to ask
you a question. Is there no way out of this? Supposing that I have
done you a wrong, wrong admits of compensation."

"Yes, it does, Mr. Cossey, and I have thought of that. Everybody has
his price in this world and I have mine; but the compensation for such
a wrong must be a heavy one."

"At what price will you agree to stay the action for ever?" he asked.

"The price that I will take to stay the action is the transfer into my
name of the mortgages you hold over the Honham Castle Estates,"
answered Mr. Quest quietly.

"Great heavens!" said Edward, "why that is a matter of thirty thousand
pounds."

"I know it is, and I know also that it is worth your while to pay
thirty thousand pounds to save yourself from the scandal, the