better educated than he had imagined, and the difference between the hysterical witness at the coroner's inquiry and this pert, self-possessed young woman was phenomenal.

Rather than risk an open rupture, the barrister temporized. "If you are anxious to quarrel with me, by all means do so," he said; "but that was not my motive in speaking to you here tonight."

Miss le Marchant shot a suspicious glance at him. "Then what was your motive," she said.

"Chiefly to reassure my friend, your former master, concerning you; and, perhaps, to learn the cause of your very strange conduct."

"Why should Sir Charles bother his head about me?"

"As I have told you. Because of the coincidence between your departure and Lady--"

"Oh yes, I know that." Then she added testily: "I was a fool not to manage differently."

"So you refuse me an explanation?"

"No, I don't. I have no reason to do so. I came in for some money, and as I have longed all my life to be an actress I could not wait an hour, a moment, before I--before I--"

"Before you tried to gratify your impulse."

"Yes, that is what I wanted to say."

"But why not at least have written to Sir Charles, telling him of your intentions?"

The fair Marie was silent for a moment. The question confused her. "I hardly know," she replied.

"Will you write to him now?"

"I don't see why I should."

"Indeed. Not even when it was you who gave some of your mistress's underclothing to Mr. White, by which means he was able to identify the body found at Putney as that of Lady Dyke?""Mr. White told you that, did he?"
"He did."
"Then you had better get him to give you all further information, Mr. Bruce, as not another word will you get out of me."
She bounced up, fiery red, pluming herself for the fray.
"Will you not communicate with Sir Charles?" he said, utterly baffled by Miss le Marchant's uncompromising attitude.
"Perhaps I will and 

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