for
one is to wish ever to believe the best of them. It is better to keep
apart for ever than to run any risks. Supposing that unknown past was
of evil, and one discovered it. To care for him would only make the
suffering keener."

"It may be so," he admitted. "May I ask you something?"

"Well?"

"You speak--of yourself?"

Her eyes met his, and he looked hastily downwards.

"Absurd," she murmured, and inclined her head towards the
billiard-table. "They have been--attached to one another always. Come
over here to the window, and I will tell you something."

They walked towards the great circular window which overlooked the
drive. As they stood there together a four-wheeled cab drove slowly by,
and a girl leaned forward and looked at them. Brooks started as he
recognized her.

"Why, that must be some one for me," he exclaimed, in a puzzled tone.
"Whatever can have happened to old Bullsom?"

She looked at him politely bewildered.

"It is the niece of a man whom I know very well in Medchester," he
exclaimed. "Something must have happened to her uncle. It is most
extraordinary."

CHAPTER XVIII

MARY SCOTT PAYS AN UNEXPECTED CALL

Brooks met the butler entering the room with a card upon his salver. He
stretched out his hand for it mechanically, but the man only regarded
him in mild surprise. "For his lordship, sir. Excuse me."

The man passed on. Brooks remained bewildered. Lord Arranmore took the
card from the tray and examined it leisurely.

"Miss Mary Scott," he repeated aloud. "Are you sure that the young lady
asked to see me?"

"Quite sure, your lordship," the servant answered.

"Scott. The name sounds familiar, somehow!" Lord Arranmore said.
"Haven't I heard you mention it, Brooks?

"Miss Scott is the niece of Mr. Bullsom, one of my best clients, a
large builder in Medchester," Brooks answered. "Why?"

He stopped suddenly short. Arranmore glanced towards him in polite
unconcern.

"You saw her with me at Mellon's, in Medchester. You asked me her
name."

Lord Arranmore bent the card in his forefinger, and dropped his
eyeglass.

"So that is the young lady," he remarked. "I remember her distinctly.
But I do not understand what she can want within me. Is she by any
chance, Brooks, one of those young persons who go about with a
collecting-card--who want money for missions and that sort of thing? If
so, I am afraid she has wasted her cab fare."

"She is not in the least that sort of person,"