directly proves my statement."

"How did you obtain it?" asked Garnett, when someone plucked his sleeve
and thrust a paper in to his hands.

"Turn the tables on him. Ask him why he left Goldenvale; has he been
divorced; and what about the funds of the Goldenvale Investment Society
which he was accused of embezzling?" he read; but, when he turned to see
the messenger, the latter had vanished.

"Never mind how I obtained it. May I read it?" Denis asked the Mayor.

"One minute first. Let us have the credentials of this reformer before
we listen to his accusation. I refuse to be judged by a dissolute
ruffian, a divorced man and one accused of embezzling the funds of an
investment society. Why did Councillor Quirk leave Goldenvale?" cried
Councillor Garnett, triumphantly.

This accusation came as a thunderbolt to the Council, when those who
were friendly to Garnett were pondering how they should act in view of
Denis Quirk's charges; and those who stood opposed to Garnett were
rejoicing in his discomfort. To the former his counter charges came as a
relief; to the latter they brought doubt and consternation. Only one man
seemed perfectly composed and he was the person accused.

"My past history does not concern the Council if I can prove my present
statement," he said very quietly.

"It concerns the Council vitally. How can we believe a man with your
reputation?" asked Garnett.

"The latter part of that charge is false."

Again a paper was thrust into Garnett's hand. This time Denis Quirk
noted the action, and the face of Gerard, the messenger. He smiled
grimly.

Garnett glanced at the paper and read the heading.

"Quirk in Court. Accused of misappropriating the funds of the Investment
Society. Case part heard."

"Does Councillor Quirk know this paper?" he asked. "The 'Goldenvale
Investigator?'"

"I used to know it. It was a rival of my own paper, 'The Firebrand,' and
a most unscrupulous paper."

"Perhaps you remember this?"

Garnett handed the paper across the table to Denis.

Denis read the heading aloud to the Council, ending with the last lines:
"Case part heard."

"Have you the next issue of this rag?" he asked. "If so, you will find
that the result of this case was a complete vindication. I was
triumphantly acquitted. A month later you will find an abject apology
from 'The Investigator.' This was a trumped-up affair, the work of my
enemies. To-morrow I shall publish the full details in 'The Mercury.