"Yes. I believe these depositions would establish the case. But
depositions are written upon paper, and hearsay evidence is not
admitted. Nobody could prove it, if I did not wish it to be proved."

"I doubt whether it could be proved at all," said Percival,
hesitatingly. "Of course, it would make Miss Murray uncomfortable. And
if that other Brian Luttrell is living still, the money would go back to
him. Would he divide it with you, do you think, if he got it, even as
you would share it all with him?"

"I believe so," answered Dino. "But I should not want it--unless it were
to give to the monastery; and San Stefano is already rich. A monk has no
wants."

"But I am not a monk. There lies the unfairness of your proposal. You
give up what you care for very little: I am to give up what is dearer
than the whole world to me. No; I won't do it. It's absurd."

"Is this your answer, Mr. Heron?" said Dino. "Will you sacrifice Brian's
happiness--I say nothing of her's, for you understand her best--for your
own?"

"Yes, I will," Percival declared, roundly. "No man is called upon to
give up his life for another without good reason. Your friend is nothing
to me. I'll get what I can out of the world for myself. It is little
enough, but I cannot be expected to surrender it for some ridiculous
notion of unselfishness. I never professed to be unselfish in my life.
Mr. Stretton is a man to whom I owe a grudge. I acknowledge it."

Dino sighed heavily. The shade of disappointment upon his face was so
deep that Heron felt some pity for him--all the more because he believed
that the monk was destined to deeper disappointment still. He turned to
him with almost a friendly look.

"You can't expect extraordinary motives from an ordinary man like me,"
he said. "I must say in all fairness that you have made a generous
proposal. If I spoke too violently and hastily, I hope you will overlook
it. I was rather beside myself with rage--though not with the sort of
regret which Mr. Brett kindly attributes to me."

"I understood that," said Dino.

By a sudden impulse Percival held out his hand. It was a strong
testimony to Dino's earnestness and simplicity of character that the two
parted friends after such a stormy interview.

As they went out of the office together Percival said, abruptly:--

"Where are you staying?"

Dino named the place.

"With the man you call Brian Luttrell?"

"With Brian Luttrell."

"What is the next thing you me