I looked with some curiosity at "Alfred darling'' He certainly struck rather alien note wonder at John objecting beard longest and blackest ever seen He wore gold-rimmed pince-nez, and had curious impassivity of feature It struck me that he might look natural on stage, but was strangely out of place in real life His voice was rather deep and unctuous He placed wooden hand in mine and said:

' pleasure, Mr Hastings '' Then, turning wife: "Emily dearest, that cushion is little damp ''

She beamed fondly on him, as he substituted another with every demonstration tenderest care Strange infatuation of an otherwise sensible woman !

presence of Mr Inglethorp, sense of constraint and veiled hostility seemed to settle down company Miss Howard, , took no pains to conceal her feelings Mrs Inglethorp, however, seemed to notice nothing unusual Her volubility, which I remembered of old, had lost nothing intervening years, and she poured out steady flood of conversation, mainly forthcoming bazaar which she was organizing and place shortly Occasionally she referred to her husband over question of days or dates His watchful and attentive manner never varied very first firm and rooted dislike to him, and I flatter myself that my first judgments are usually fairly shrewd

Presently Mrs Inglethorp turned some instructions about letters to Evelyn Howard, and her husband addressed me painstaking voice:

"Is soldiering your regular profession, Mr Hastings ? ''

"No, war in Lloyd's ''

"And return there after over ? ''

"Perhaps Either that or fresh start altogether ''

Mary Cavendish leant forward

"What would you really choose as profession, just consult your inclination ? ''

"Well, that depends ''

"No secret hobby ? '' she asked "Tell me -- you're drawn to something ? is -- usually something absurd ''

"You'll laugh at me ''

She smiled

"Perhaps ''

"Well, I've always had secret hankering detective ! ''

"The real thing -- Scotland Yard ? Or Sherlock Holmes ? ''

"Oh, Sherlock Holmes by all means But really, seriously, awfully drawn across man in Belgium once, very famous detective, and he quite inflamed me marvellous little fellow He used that all good detective work was mere matter of method My system is based -- though progressed rather further funny little man, great dandy, but wonderfully clever ''

"Like good detective story myself,'' remarked Miss Howard "Lots of nonsense written, though Criminal discovered in last chapter dumbfounded Real crime -- you'd know at once ''

" been great number of undiscovered crimes,'' I argued

"Don't mean the police, but the people right The family You couldn't really hoodwink them They'd know ''

"Then,'' , much amused, " that were mixed up in crime, say murder, you'd to spot the murderer right off ? ''

" Mightn't it to pack of lawyers But I'm certain I'd know I'd feel it in my fingertips if near me ''

"It 'she,' '' I suggested

"Might But murder's violent crime Associate it more with man ''

"Not in case of poisoning '' Mrs Cavendish's clear voice startled me "Dr Bauerstein was saying yesterday that, owing general ignorance more uncommon poisons medical profession, there were probably countless cases of poisoning quite unsuspected ''

"Why, Mary, what gruesome conversation ! '' cried Mrs Inglethorp "It makes me feel goose were walking over my grave Oh, there's Cynthia ! ''

young girl in V . D uniform ran lightly across the lawn

"Why, Cynthia, late to-day Mr Hastings -- Miss Murdoch ''

Cynthia Murdoch was fresh-looking young creature, full of life and vigour She tossed off her little V . D cap, and I admired the great loose waves of her auburn hair, smallness and whiteness hand she held out to claim her tea With dark eyes and eyelashes she beauty

She flung herself down ground beside John, and as I handed her plate of sandwiches she smiled up at me

"Sit down here grass, do It's ever nicer ''

I dropped down obediently

"You work at Tadminster, don't you, Miss Murdoch ? ''

She nodded

" sins ''

"Do they bully you, then ? '' I asked, smiling

" like them ! '' cried Cynthia with dignity

" got cousin nursing,'' I remarked "And terrified of 'Sisters' ''

"I don't wonder Sisters are, , Mr Hastings They simp-ly are ! You've no idea ! But I'm not nurse, thank heaven, I work dispensary ''

" people poison ? '' I asked, smiling

Cynthia smiled too

"Oh, hundreds ! '' she said

"Cynthia,'' called Mrs Inglethorp, " write few notes ? ''

"Certainly, Aunt Emily ''

She jumped up promptly, and something in her manner reminded me that her position was dependent one, Mrs Inglethorp, kind as she main, allow her to forget it

My hostess turned

"John will show you your room Supper is at half-past seven given up late dinner for now Lady Tadminster, our Member's wife -- she late Lord Abbotsbury's daughter -- does the same She agrees with me that one must set an example of economy quite war household; nothing is wasted here -- every scrap of waste paper, even, is saved and sent away in sacks ''

I expressed my appreciation, and John took me house and up the broad staircase, which forked right and left half-way to different wings building My room was left wing, and looked out over the park

John left me, and later him from my window walking slowly across the grass arm in arm with Cynthia Murdoch I heard Mrs Inglethorp call "Cynthia'' impatiently, girl started and ran back house same moment, man stepped out shadow of tree and walked slowly same direction He looked about forty, very dark with melancholy clean-shaven face Some violent emotion seemed mastering him He looked up at my window as he passed, and I recognized him, though he had changed much fifteen years that had elapsed since we last met John's younger brother, Lawrence Cavendish I wondered what it had brought that singular expression face

Then I dismissed him from my mind, and returned contemplation own affairs

The evening passed pleasantly enough; and I dreamed that night enigmatical woman, Mary Cavendish

The next morning dawned bright and sunny, and full anticipation of delightful visit

see Mrs Cavendish until lunch-time, when she volunteered me for walk, and we spent charming afternoon roaming woods, returning house about five

entered the large hall, John beckoned us both smoking-room at once by his face that something disturbing had occurred We followed him in, and he shut the door after us

"Look here, Mary, there's the deuce of mess Evie's had row with Alfred Inglethorp, and she's off ''

"Evie ? Off ? ''

John nodded gloomily

"Yes; she went mater, and -- Oh, here's Evie herself ''

Miss Howard entered Her lips were set grimly together, and she carried small suit-case She looked excited and determined, and slightly defensive

"At any rate,'' she burst out, "I've spoken my mind ! ''

"My dear Evelyn,'' cried Mrs Cavendish, " 't be true ! ''

Miss Howard nodded grimly