pipe enjoyed a smoke.

Ever since my student days I had longed for a country life. The
pleasures of the world of London had no attraction for me, my ideal
being a snug country practice with Ethelwynn as my wife. But alas! my
idol had been shattered, like that of many a better man.

With this bitter reflection still in my mind, my attention was
attracted by low voices--as though of two persons speaking earnestly
together. Surprised at such interruption, I glanced quickly around,
but saw no one.

Again I listened, when, of a sudden, footsteps sounded, coming down
the path I had already traversed. Beneath the deep shadow I saw the
dark figures of two persons. They were speaking together, but in a
tone so low that I could not catch any word uttered.

Nevertheless, as they emerged from the semi-darkness the moon shone
full upon them, revealing to me that they were a man and a woman.

Next instant a cry of blank amazement escaped me, for I was utterly
unprepared for the sight I witnessed. I could not believe my eyes; nor
could you, my reader, had you been in my place.

The woman walking there, close to me, was young Mrs. Courtenay--the
man was none other than her dead husband!

CHAPTER XVII.

DISCUSSES SEVERAL MATTERS.

Reader, I know that what I have narrated is astounding. It astounded
me just as it astounded you.

There are moments when one's brain becomes dulled by sudden
bewilderment at sight of the absolutely impossible.

It certainly seemed beyond credence that the man whose fatal and
mysterious wound I had myself examined should be there, walking with
his wife in lover-like attitude. And yet there was no question that
the pair were there. A small bush separated us, so that they passed
arm-in-arm within three feet of me. As I have already explained, the
moon was so bright that I could see to read; therefore, shining full
upon their faces, it was impossible to mistake the features of two
persons whom I knew so well.

Fortunately they had not overheard my involuntary exclamation of
astonishment, or, if they had, both evidently believed it to be one of
the many distorted sounds of the night. Upon Mary's face there was
revealed a calm expression of perfect content, different indeed from
the tearful countenance of a few hours before, while her husband,
grey-faced and serious, just as he had been before his last illness,
had her arm linked in his, and walked with her, whispering some low
indistinct wo