ly escaped me, although next moment I saw that by it I
had betrayed myself, for Ambler Jevons sprang to my side in an
instant.

But next instant I covered the signature with my hand, grasped the
packet swift as thought, and turned upon him defiantly, without
uttering a word.

CHAPTER XI.

CONCERNS MY PRIVATE AFFAIRS.

"What have you found there?" inquired Ambler Jevons, quickly
interested, and yet surprised at my determination to conceal it from
him.

"Something that concerns me," I replied briefly.

"Concerns you?" he ejaculated. "I don't understand. How can anything
among the old man's private papers concern you?"

"This concerns me personally," I answered. "Surely that is sufficient
explanation."

"No," my friend said. "Forgive me, Ralph, for speaking quite plainly,
but in this affair we are both working towards the same end--namely,
to elucidate the mystery. We cannot hope for success if you are bent
upon concealing your discoveries from me."

"This is a private affair of my own," I declared doggedly. "What I
have found only concerns myself."

He shrugged his shoulders with an air of distinct dissatisfaction.

"Even if it is a purely private matter we are surely good friends
enough to be cognisant of one another's secrets," he remarked.

"Of course," I replied dubiously. "But only up to a certain point."

"Then, in other words, you imply that you can't trust me?"

"I can trust you, Ambler," I answered calmly. "We are the best of
friends, and I hope we shall always be so. Will you not forgive me for
refusing to show you these letters?"

"I only ask you one question. Have they anything to do with the matter
we are investigating?"

I hesitated. With his quick perception he saw that a lie was not ready
upon my lips.

"They have. Your silence tells me so. In that case it is your duty to
show me them," he said, quietly.

I protested again, but he overwhelmed my arguments. In common fairness
to him I ought not, I knew, keep back the truth. And yet it was the
greatest and most terrible blow that had ever fallen upon me. He saw
that I was crushed and stammering, and he stood by me wondering.

"Forgive me, Ambler," I urged again. "When you have read this letter
you will fully understand why I have endeavoured to conceal it from
you; why, if you were not present here at this moment, I would burn
them all and not leave a trace behind."

Then I handed it to him.

He took it eagerly, skimmed i