the hand of the stricken man groping
for the newspaper; the effort of those pencilled lines; and, finally,
that wavering mark, John Ferrier's last word on earth.

If it had, indeed, been meant for him, Oliver--well, he had received
it; the dead man had reached out and touched him; he felt the brand upon
him; and it was a secret forever between Ferrier and himself.

The train was nearing St. Pancras. Marsham roused himself with an
effort. After all, what fault was it of his--this tragic coincidence of
a tragic day? If Ferrier had lived, all could have been explained; or if
not all, most. And because Ferrier had died of a sudden ailment, common
among men worn out with high responsibilities, was a man to go on
reproaching himself eternally for another man's vile behavior--for the
results of an indiscretion committed with no ill-intent whatever? With
miserable self-control, Oliver turned his mind to his approaching
interview with the Prime Minister. Up to the morning of this awful day
he had been hanging on the Cabinet news from hour to hour. The most
important posts would, of course be filled first. Afterward would come
the minor appointments--and then!

* * * * *

Marsham found the Premier much shaken. He was an old man; he had been a
warm personal friend of Ferrier's; and the blow had hit him hard.

Evidently for a few hours he had been determined to resign; but strong
influences had been brought to bear, and he had wearily resumed
his task.

Reluctantly, Marsham told the story. Poor Lord Broadstone could not
escape from the connection between the arrival of his letter and the
seizure which had killed his old comrade. He sat bowed beneath it for a
while; then, with a fortitude and a self-control which never fails men
of his type in times of public stress and difficulty, he roused himself
to discuss the political situation which had arisen--so far, at least,
as was necessary and fitting in the case of a man not in the
inner circle.

As the two men sat talking the messenger arrived from Beechcote with Sir
James Chide's letter. From the Premier's expression as he laid it down
Marsham divined that it contained Chide's refusal to join the
Government. Lord Broadstone got up and began to move to and fro, wrapped
in a cloud of thought. He seemed to forget Marsham's presence, and
Marsham made a movement to go. As he did so Lord Broadstone looked up
and came toward him.

"I am much obliged