resently Carey went on speaking.

"It always seems to me such sheer folly, such egregious lunacy, to
precipitate one's self into the unknown, seeing that one can hardly
expect the Giver of Life to welcome the soul He has not called. And I
have often wondered what depths of misery, of shame, must overwhelm the
uninvited soul in what someone has called 'the first five minutes after
Death.'"

His voice sank to a whisper on the last words; and for a moment the room
was very still. Then Carey leaned forward and laid one hand on the
other's arm with a rather deprecating smile.

"Forgive me, Anstice! The subject we were discussing is one on which I
find it difficult to hold my peace. But knowing you, I know that suicide
is not, would never be, the way out to one of your disposition."

Anstice moved restlessly.

"Odd you should use that expression," he said quickly. "Others have
employed it in connection with this miserable story of mine. No, suicide
is not the way out--nor is another expedient to which I have had
recourse. But"--suddenly his face lost its quietness and grew keen,
alert--"this slander has got to be stopped. You see this is not the
first time the neighborhood has been infested with this plague."

"You refer to the unhappy circumstances connected with my predecessor's
wife?"

"Yes. You know the story, of course?"

"Yes. I am also acquainted--but very slightly--with Mrs. Carstairs."

"Then you know a much-maligned woman," said Anstice. "And it is in order
to save her from further unhappiness that I intend to sift this matter
to the bottom."

"I am delighted to hear you say so," said Carey earnestly. "And if I can
help you in any way my services are yours. First of all, how do you
propose starting on the sifting process?"

"I have already made a start," rejoined Anstice. "Through the good
offices of Sir Richard Wayne, who has also been pestered with a letter,
I have discovered that the writing of those communications and of those
earlier ones you mentioned just now is in many respects identical."

Carey sat upright, his face alight with interest.

"Really? You think the writer of both is the same?"

"Yes. Of course until I have studied the two letters in my possession a
little more closely I can't be positively certain on the point; but I
intend to submit them both to an expert at the first opportunity."

"I can help you there," said Carey quite eagerly. "I mean, if you do not
know of a reliable e