would be, I
persuaded myself that I cared naught. Then came this other woman. Then
I--well, I was a man and a fool--a fool, Sir Arthur, a most miserable
fool! Every moment of my life since first I saw her, I have loved the
Lady Catharine; and, God help me, I do now!"

Sir Arthur struck his hand upon the hilt of his sword. "You were more
lucky than myself, as I know," said he, and from his lips broke half a
groan.

"Good God!" broke out Law. "Let us not talk of it. I give you my word of
honor, there has been no happiness to this. But come! We waste time. Let
us cross swords!"

"Wait. Let me explain, since we are in the way of it. You must know that
'twas within the plans of Montague that Lady Catharine Knollys should be
the agent of your freedom. I was pledged to the Lady Catharine to assist
her, though, as you may perhaps see, sir," and Pembroke gulped in his
throat as he spoke, "'twas difficult enough, this part that was assigned
to me. It was I, Mr. Law, who drove the coach to the gate, the coach
which brought the Lady Catharine. 'Twas she who opened the door of
Newgate jail for you. My God! sir, how could you walk past that woman,
coming there as she did, with such a purpose!"

At hearing these words, the tall figure of the man opposed to him
drooped and sank, as though under some fearful blow. He staggered to a
near-by support and sank weakly to a seat, his head falling between his
hands, his whole face convulsed.

"Ah!" said he, "you did right to cross seas in search of me! God hath
indeed found me out and given me my punishment. Yet I ask God to bear
me witness that I knew not the truth. Come, Sir Arthur! Come, I beseech
you! Let us fall to!"

"I shall be no man's executioner for his sentence on himself. I could
not fight you now." His eye fell by chance upon the blotch in Law's
bloodstained tunic. "And here," he said; "see! You are already wounded."

"'Twas but one woman's way of showing her regard," said Law. "'Twas Mary
Connynge stabbed me."

"But why?"

"Nay, I am glad of it; since it proves the truth of all you say, even as
it proves me to be the most unworthy man in all the world. Oh, what had
it meant to me to know a real love! God! How could I have been so
blind?"

"'Tis the ancient puzzle."

"Yes!" cried Law. "And let us make an end of puzzles! Your quarrel, sir,
I admit is just. Let us go on."

"And again I tell you, Mr. Law," replied Sir Arthur, "that I will not
fight you."

"Then, s