ady suspected by many, had been proved to have
both motive and opportunity.

And I, I who loved her, knew that, in one instance, at least, she had
been untruthful.

Yes, it was high time for me to give this case into other hands.

I looked at her again, steadily but with a meaning in my glance that I
hoped she would understand. I wanted her to know, that though of course
justice was my end and aim, yet I was sure the truth could not implicate
her, and if it did implicate Mr. Hall, the sooner we discovered it the
better.

I think she appreciated my meaning, for the troubled look in her own
eyes disappeared, and she seemed suddenly almost willing to give me her
full confidence.

I resolved to make the most of my opportunity.

"Of course you know," I said gently, "that I want to believe all you say
to me. But, Miss Lloyd, your naturally truthful nature so rebels at
your unveracity, that it is only too plain to be seen when you are not
telling the truth. Now, I do not urge you, but I ask you to tell me,
confidentially if you choose, what your surmise is as to Mr. Hall's
strange reticence."

"It is only a surmise," she said, and though the troubled look came back
to her eyes, she looked steadily at me. "And I have no real reason even
to think it, but I can't help feeling that Gregory is interested in some
other woman beside myself."

Again I felt that uncontrollable impulse of satisfaction at this
disclosure, and again I stifled it. I endeavored to treat the matter
lightly. "Is that all?" I asked; "do you mean that perhaps Mr. Hall was
calling on some other lady acquaintance that evening?"

"Yes, that is what I do mean. And, as I say, I have no real reason to
think it. But still, Mr. Burroughs, if it were true, I cannot agree with
you that it is unimportant. Surely a man is not expected to call on one
woman when he is betrothed to another, or at least, not to make a secret
of it."

I thoroughly agreed with her, and my opinion that Hall was a cad
received decided confirmation.

"My treating it as a light matter, Miss Lloyd, was not quite sincere.
Indeed, I may as well confess that it was partly to cover the too
serious interest I take in the matter."

She looked up, startled at this, but as my eyes told her a certain
truth I made no effort to conceal, she looked down again, and her lip
quivered.

I pulled myself together. "Don't think I am taking advantage of your
confidence," I said gently; "I want only to