ke asked, with gravity passing
into anger.

'Well, well; you must take it as I meant it, old man.' Bower was
annoyed, and added: 'No doubt Egremont likes to have a pretty gyurl to
talk to every morning. I don't blame him. Still, if I was Grail--'

'What the devil do you mean, Bower? What's all this about?'

Ackroyd clearly knew nothing. The other recovered some of his
confidence.

'Well, you needn't let it go further. It's no good thinking the worst
of people. For all I know Grail sends her to help with the books, just
because he can't go himself.'

Luke laid down the paper, and said quietly:

'Will you tell me all about it? It's the first I've heard. What's going
on?'

Bower brought out his narrative, even naming the authority for it. He
took sips of whisky in between. Ackroyd heard in silence, and seemed to
dismiss his indignation.

'There's nothing in all that,' he said at length. 'Of course Grail
knows all about it. This Mrs. What's-her-name seems to have too little
to do.'

'Well, there's no knowing.'

'And you're going to tell this story all over Lambeth?'

'Why, didn't I ask you to keep it quiet?'

'Yes, Bower, you did. And I mean to. And--look here! If you'd been a
man of my own age, for all we've known each other a goodish time, I
should have sent you spinning half across the room before now. So
that's plain language, and you must make what you like of it!'

Therewith Luke thrust back his chair and walked out of the room.

He did not pause till he was some distance from the club. His blood was
tingling. But it was not in anger that he at length stood still and
asked himself whither he should go. His heart had begun to sink with
fear.

Had he done wisely in insulting Bower? The fellow would take his
revenge in an obvious way. That calumny would be in every one's mouth
by the morrow.

And yet, as if that would not have come about in any case! How long was
anything likely to remain a secret that was known in Mrs. Bower's shop?
No, it made no difference.

Such stories going round with regard to Thyrza Trent! What was the
meaning of it? Had there been some imprudence on Grail's part, some
thoughtlessness in keeping with his character, which had in it so
little of the everyday man? It was a monstrous thing that opportunities
should have been given to that lying old woman!

He walked on, in the direction of home. There was a hideous voice at
his ear. Suppose Grail in truth knew nothing about t