tory
true? Did Milligan really exist? If any doubt were possible on this
point, did it not also throw suspicion on the story of Strangwyn, and
the ten thousand pounds? Will grew serious at the reflection. He had
never conceived a moment's distrust of Sherwood's honesty, nor did his
misgiving now take that form; the question which troubled him
throughout to-day was--whether Godfrey Sherwood might be a victim of
delusions. Certainly he had a very strange look; that haggard face,
those brilliant eyes--

So disquieting was the suspicion that, at dosing time, Will could no
longer resist an impulse to betake himself to Morley's Hotel. Sherwood
had said that Milligan was there only for a few days, until the wealthy
Irishman could find a furnished house suitable to his needs whilst he
remained in London. Arrived at the hotel, he inquired for his friend;
Sherwood had dined and gone out. Will hesitated a moment, then asked
whether Mr. Milligan was to be seen. Mr. Milligan, he learnt, had gone
out with Mr. Sherwood. So Milligan did exist. Will's relief at settling
this point banished his doubts on all the others. He turned westward
again, and through a night of soft, warm rain walked all the way to his
lodgings.

On the third day after, late in the evening, Sherwood paid him a second
visit. Godfrey was in high spirits. He announced that Milligan had
taken a house near the Marble Arch, where he also, as secretary, would
have his quarters, and that already a meeting had been convened of the
leading London vegetarians. Things were splendidly in train. Then he
produced an evening newspaper, with a paragraph, which spoke of the
serious illness of Mr. Strangwyn; recovery, it was said, could hardly
be hoped for.

"What's more," cried Sherwood. "I've seen Ted Strangwyn himself. Nobody
could behave better. The old man, he assured me, couldn't last more
than a day or two, and he promised--quite spontaneously, I didn't say a
word--to pay his debt in full as soon as ever his father's will was
proved, which will be done as quickly as possible. --And now, have you
thought over what I said the other night?"

"Thought--yes."

"With not much result, I see. Never mind; you must have time. I want
you to meet Milligan. Could you come to lunch next Sunday? He invites
you."

Warburton shook his head. He had never cared for the acquaintance of
rich men, and was less than ever disposed to sit at their tables. All
his anxieties regarding Sherwood