jury, before her reason
gave way."

"And they considered that to be the cause--?"

Mr. Null asserted his dignity. "The doctors agreed with Me, that it had
shaken her power of self-control."

"You relieve me, Mr. Null--you infinitely relieve me! If our way
of removing the children had done the mischief, I should never have
forgiven myself."

He blushed, and said no more. Had Mr. Null noticed the slip of the
tongue into which his agitation had betrayed him? Mr. Null did certainly
look as if he was going to put a question. The lawyer desperately
forestalled him.

"May I ask how you came to apply to me for Mr. Gallilee's address? Did
you think of it yourself?"

Mr. Null had never had an idea of his own, from the day of his birth,
downward. "A very intelligent man," he answered, "reminded me that you
were an old friend of Mr. Gallilee. In short, it was Joseph--the footman
at Fairfield Gardens."

Joseph's good opinion was of no importance to Mr. Mool's professional
interests. He could gratify Mr. Null's curiosity without fear of
lowering himself in the estimation of a client.

"I had better, perhaps, explain that chance allusion of mine to the
children," he began. "My good friend, Mr. Gallilee, had his own reasons
for removing his daughters from home for a time--reasons, I am bound to
add, in which I concur. The children were to be placed under the care of
their aunt, Lady Northlake. Unfortunately, her ladyship was away with my
lord, cruising in their yacht. They were not able to receive Maria
and Zoe at once. In the interval that elapsed--excuse my entering into
particulars--our excellent friend had his own domestic reasons for
arranging the--the sort of clandestine departure which did in fact
take place. It was perhaps unwise on my part to consent--in short, I
permitted some of the necessary clothing to be privately deposited here,
and called for on the way to the station. Very unprofessional, I am
aware. I did it for the best; and allowed my friendly feeling to mislead
me. Can I be of any use? How is poor Miss Carmina? No better? Oh, dear!
dear! Mr. Ovid will hear dreadful news, when he comes home. Can't we
prepare him for it, in any way?"

Mr. Null announced that a telegram would meet Ovid at Queenstown--with
the air of a man who had removed every obstacle that could be suggested
to him. The kind-hearted lawyer shook his head.

"Is there no friend who can meet him there?" Mr. Mool suggested. "I
have clients