sisted.

"Oh, I believe that; but you are in trouble and came down to consult me."

"Yes," she admitted faintly. "I am in great trouble. But I don't wish to
worry you while you are in this state."

"You will worry me a great deal more by keeping silence," said Lambert,
sitting up in his chair and drawing the blankets more closely round him.
"Do not trouble about me. I'm all right. But you--" he looked at her
keenly and with a dismayed expression. "The trouble must be very great,"
he remarked.

"It may become so, Noel. It has to do with--oh, here is Mrs. Tribb!" and
she broke off hurriedly, as the housekeeper appeared with a tray.

"Now, my lady, just you sit in that arm-chair opposite to Master Noel,
and I'll put the tray on this small stool beside you. Sandwiches and
burgundy wine, my lady, and see that you eat and drink all you can.
Walking over on this dripping day," cried Mrs. Tribb, bustling about.
"Giving yourself your death of cold, and you with carriages and horses,
and them spitting cats of motive things. You're as bad as Master Noel,
my lady. As for him, God bless him evermore, he's--" Mrs. Tribb raised
her hands to show that words failed her, and once more vanished through
the door to get ready the beef tea.

Agnes did not want to eat, but Lambert, who quite agreed with the
kind-hearted practical housekeeper, insisted that she should do so. To
please him she took two sandwiches, and a glass of the strong red wine,
which brought color back to her cheeks in some degree. When she
finished, and had drawn her chair closer to the blaze, he smiled.

"We are just like Darby and Joan," said Lambert, who looked much better
for her presence. "I am so glad you are here, Agnes. You are the very
best medicine I can have to make me well."

"The idea of comparing me to anything so nasty as medicine," laughed
Agnes with an attempt at gayety. "But indeed, Noel, I wish my visit was
a pleasant one. But it is not, whatever you may say; I am in great
trouble."

"From what--with what--in what?" stuttered Lambert, so confusedly and
anxiously that she hesitated to tell him.

"Are you well enough to hear?"

"Of course I am," he answered fretfully, for the suspense began to tell
on his nerves. "I would rather know the worst and face the worst than be
left to worry over these hints. Has the trouble to do with the murder?"

"Yes. And with Mr. Silver."

"Pine's secretary? I thought you had got rid of him?"

"Oh, yes. Mr.