ling. He was very weak. It was only the
morning after the wreck, and he spoke in a whisper!' Then with an
instinct of self-preservation she added: 'But how could I learn anything
by hearing him when he was a stranger to me? I had never even heard of
Mr. Robinson!'

As she was speaking she found her own ideas, the proofs of her own
conviction growing. This was surely another link in the chain of proving
that all three men were but one. But in such case Harold must know; must
have tried to hide his identity!

She feared, with keen eyes upon her, to pursue the thought. But her
blood began to grow cold and her brain to swim. With an effort she went
on:

'Even since then I have not been allowed to go near him. Of course I
must obey orders. I am waiting as patiently as I can. But we must ask
the Doctor if he thinks his patient will see you--will let you see
him--though he will not let me.' This she added with a touch of what she
felt: regret rather than bitter ness. There was no room for bitterness
in her full heart where Harold was concerned.

'Will you ask the Doctor now?' Pearl did not let grass grow under her
feet. For answer Stephen rang the bell, and when a servant appeared
asked:

'Is Mr. Hilton in the house?'

'I think not, your Ladyship. He said he was going over to Port Lannoch.
Shall I inquire if he left word at what time he would be back?'

'If you please!' The man returned in a few minutes with the butler, who
said:

'Mr. Hilton said, your Ladyship, that he expected to be back by one
o'clock at latest.'

'Please ask him on his arrival if he will kindly come here at once. Do
not let us be disturbed until then.' The butler bowed and withdrew.

'Now,' said Stephen, 'as we have to wait till our tyrant comes, won't you
tell me all that went on after The Man had left you?' Pearl brightened
up at once. Stephen would have given anything to get away even for a
while. Beliefs and hopes and fears were surging up, till she felt
choking. But the habit of her life, especially her life of the last two
years, gave her self-control. And so she waited, trying with all her
might to follow the child's prattle.

After a long wait Pearl exclaimed: 'Oh! I do wish that Doctor would
come. I want to see The Man!' She was so restless, marching about the
room, that Stephen said:

'Would you like to go out on the balcony, darling; of course if Mother
will let you? It is quite safe, I assure you, Mr