ith some embarrassment.

"You won't want me again?" said that cheerful gentleman, locking his
desk. "Then, if you won't think me uncivil, I'll leave you altogether.
My clerk is in the outer room, if you require him. I have a dinner
engagement at eight o'clock which I should like to keep. Good-bye, Mr.
Heron; sorry for your disappointment. Good-bye, Mr. Luttrell; I wish you
wouldn't don that monkish dress of yours. It makes you look so
un-English, you know. And, after all, you are not a monk, and never will
be."

"Do not be too sure of that," said Dino, smiling.

Mr. Brett departed, and the two young men were left together. Percival
was standing, vexation and impatience visible in every line of his
handsome features. He gave his shoulders a shrug as the door closed
behind Mr. Brett, and turned to the fire.

"And now, Mr. Heron," said Dino, "will you listen to my proposition?" He
spoke in Italian, not English, and Percival replied in the same
language.

"I have said I would listen."

"It refers to Brian Luttrell--the man who has borne that name so long
that I think he should still be called by it."

"Ah! You have proved to me that Mr. Brett believes your story, and you
have shown me that your case is a plausible one; but you have not proved
to me that the man Stretton is identical with Brian Luttrell."

"It is not necessary that that should be proved just now. It can be
proved; but we will pass over that point, if you please. I am sorry that
what I have to say trenches somewhat on your private and personal
affairs, Mr. Heron. I can only entreat your patience for a little time.
Your marriage with Miss Murray----"

"Need that be dragged into the discussion?"

"It is exactly the point on which I wish to speak."

"Indeed." Percival pulled the lawyer's arm-chair towards him, seated
himself, and pulled his moustache. "I understand. You are Mr. Stretton's
emissary!"

"His emissary! No." The denial was sharply spoken. It was with a
softening touch of emotion that Dino added--"I doubt whether he will
easily forgive me. I have betrayed him. He does not dream that I would
tell his secret."

"Are you friendly with him, then?"

"We are as brothers."

"Where is he?"

"In London."

"Not gone to America then?"

"Not yet. He starts in a few days, if not delayed. I am trying to keep
him back."

"I knew that his pretence of going was a lie!" muttered Percival. "Of
course, he never intended to leave the country!"