rother. I will come now to
the time of my brother's death. When he fell ill, he had just completed
the sale of one of his Russian properties. Lady Tristram did not, I dare
say, speak of the Comtesse's character to you?"

"I never remember hearing my mother speak of anybody's character," said
Harry with a smile.

"She was a brilliant woman--she died, by the way, two or three years
ago--but extravagant and fond of money. She prevailed on my brother to
promise her the price of this property as a gift. The sum was
considerable--about seven thousand pounds."

Harry nodded. Here seemed to be some possible light on the reasons for
the interview.

"This money was to be paid--in gold--on a certain day. I speak now from
information imparted to me subsequently by the Comtesse herself. It was
given under a promise of secrecy which I have kept hitherto, but now
find myself compelled in honesty to break."

"There can be no question of what is your duty, Edge," Mr Neeld put in.

"I think none. My brother during his illness discussed the matter with
the Comtesse. The money was payable in Petersburg. He could not hope to
be well enough to go there. At her suggestion he signed a paper
authorizing payment to be made to her or to an agent appointed by her.
The money being destined for her ultimately, this naturally seemed the
best arrangement. She could go and receive the money, or send for
it--as a fact she went in person when the time came--and all would be
settled."

"Quite so. And the transaction would not appear on the face of Sir
Randolph's accounts or bank-book," Harry suggested.

"It's possible that weight was given to that consideration too, but it
is not very material. The Comtesse, then, was in possession of this
authority. My brother's illness took a turn for the worse. To be brief,
he died before the day came on which the money was to be paid."

"And she presented the authority all the same?" asked Harry. "And got
the money, did she?"

"That is precisely the course she adopted," assented Colonel Edge.

Harry took a walk up and down the room and returned to the hearthrug.

"I'm very sensible of your kindness in coming here to-day," he said,
"and your conduct is that of a man of honor. But at this point I'll stop
you, please. I'm aware that _prima facie_ the law would pronounce me to
be Sir Randolph's son. That has always been disclaimed on our side and
could easily be disproved on yours. I have nothing to do with