cleared up."

If any one else had spoken so clearly and decisively in direct
contradiction to the old man's obvious wishes in the matter, the
result would have been an outburst of ill-humour and probably a volley
of invectives, not unmixed with more forcible language. But since it
was Luke who had spoken--and Luke could do no wrong--Lord Radclyffe
responded quite gently:

"My dear boy," he said, and it was really touching to hear the hard
voice soften and linger on the endearing words, "I have told you once
and for all that the story of this so-called Philip de Mountford is a
fabrication from beginning to end. There is absolutely no reason for
you to fret one single instant because of the lies a blackmailer
chooses to trump up. As for your putting off your wedding one single
hour because of this folly, why, it is positive nonsense. I should
have thought you had more common-sense--and Miss Harris, too, for a
matter of that."

Luke was silent for a moment or two while Edie tossed her
irresponsible young head with the gesture of an absolute "I told you
so." Jim muttered something behind his heavy cavalry moustache.
Louisa, with head bent and fingers somewhat restless and fidgety,
waited to hear what Luke would say.

"If only," he said, "you would consent, Uncle Rad to let Mr. Dobson go
through this man's papers."

"What were the good of wasting Mr. Dobson's time?" retorted Lord
Radclyffe with surprising good humour. "I know that the man is an
impostor. I don't think it," he reiterated emphatically, "I know it."

"How?"

Before the old man had time to reply, the butler--sober, solemn
Parker--came in with a card on a salver, which he presented to his
master. Lord Radclyffe took up the card and grunted as he glanced at
it. He always grunted when he was threatened with visitors.

"Why," he said gruffly, and he threw the card back onto the salver,
"haven't you told Mr. Warren?"

"Mr. Warren," said solemn Parker, "is out, my lord."

"Then ask Mr. Dobson to call another time."

"It's not Mr. Dobson hisself, my lord. But a young gentleman from his
office."

"Then tell the young gentleman from the office that I haven't time to
bother about him."

"Shall I see him, sir?" asked Luke, ready to go.

"Certainly not," retorted the irascible old man. "Stay where you are.
You have got Miss Harris to entertain."

"The young gentleman," resumed Parker with respectful insistence,
"said he wouldn't keep your lordship five