ve yourself, Mr. Denzil."

"Oh, I have said nothing. You turned me out so quickly the other night
that I had no time for observation. Besides, I am not in the habit of
remarking on matters which do not concern me."

"I beg your pardon," said Berwin weakly. "I had no intention of
offending you. I suppose Mrs. Kebby has been talking?"

"I should think it probable."

"The skirling Jezebel!" cried Berwin. "I'll pack her off right away!"

"Are you a Scotchman?" asked Denzil suddenly.

"Why do you ask?" demanded Berwin, without replying.

"You used an essentially Scotch word--'skirling.'"

"And I used an essentially American phrase--'right away,'" retorted the
man. "I may be a Scot, I may be a Yankee, but I would remind you that my
nationality is my own secret."

"I have no wish to pry into your secrets," said Denzil, rising from the
chair in which he had seated himself, "and in my turn I would remind you
that I am here at your invitation."

"Don't take offense at a hasty word," said Berwin nervously. "I am glad
of your company, although I seem rather brusque. You must go over the
house with me."

"I see no necessity to do so."

"It will set your mind at rest regarding the shadows on the blind."

"I can trust my eyes," said Lucian, drily, "and I am certain that before
I met you a man and a woman were in this room."

"Well," said Berwin, lighting a small lamp, "come with me and I'll prove
that you are mistaken."

CHAPTER IV

MRS. KEBBY'S DISCOVERY

The pertinacity which Berwin displayed in insisting that Lucian should
explore the Silent House was truly remarkable. He appeared to be bent
upon banishing the idea which Denzil entertained that strangers were
hiding in the mansion.

From attic to basement, from front to back premises, he led the way, and
made Lucian examine every corner of the empty rooms. He showed him even
the unused kitchen, and bade him remark that the door leading into the
yard was locked and bolted, and, from the rusty condition of the
ironwork, could not have been opened for years. Also, he made him look
out of the window into the yard itself, with its tall black fence
dividing it from the other properties.

This exploration finished, and Lucian being convinced that himself and
his host were the only two living beings in the house, Berwin conducted
his half-frozen guest back to the warm sitting-room and poured out a
glass of wine.

"Here, Mr. Denzil," said he in good-natured