iction
to the mind of all the world; irreproachable, disinterested witnesses;
official witnesses. In the first place, a commissioner of oaths. Then a
Plymouth doctor, to show that you are in a fit state of mind to make a
confession. Next, Mr. Horace Mayfield, who defended my father. Lastly,
Dr. Blake Crawford, who watched the case on your behalf at the trial."

"But, Hilda," I interposed, "we may possibly find that they cannot come
away from London just now. They are busy men, and likely to be engaged."

"They will come if I pay their fees. I do not mind how much this costs
me. What is money compared to this one great object of my life?"

"And then--the delay! Suppose that we are too late?"

"He will live some days yet. I can telegraph up at once. I want no
hole-and-corner confession, which may afterwards be useless, but an open
avowal before the most approved witnesses. If he will make it, well and
good; if not, my life-work will have failed. But I had rather it failed
than draw back one inch from the course which I have laid down for
myself."

I looked at the worn face of Sebastian. He nodded his head slowly. "She
has conquered," he answered, turning upon the pillow. "Let her have
her own way. I hid it for years, for science' sake. That was my motive,
Cumberledge, and I am too near death to lie. Science has now nothing
more to gain or lose by me. I have served her well, but I am worn out in
her service. Maisie may do as she will. I accept her ultimatum."

We telegraphed up, at once. Fortunately, both men were disengaged, and
both keenly interested in the case. By that evening, Horace Mayfield was
talking it all over with me in the hotel at Southampton. "Well, Hubert,
my boy," he said, "a woman, we know, can do a great deal"; he smiled
his familiar smile, like a genial fat toad; "but if your Yorke-Bannerman
succeeds in getting a confession out of Sebastian, she'll extort my
admiration." He paused a moment, then he added, in an afterthought: "I
say that she'll extort my admiration; but, mind you, I don't know that
I shall feel inclined to believe it. The facts have always appeared
to me--strictly between ourselves, you know--to admit of only one
explanation."

"Wait and see," I answered. "You think it more likely that Miss Wade
will have persuaded Sebastian to confess to things that never happened
than that he will convince you of Yorke-Bannerman's innocence?"

The great Q.C. fingered his cigarette-holder affect