gain to his, and for a time there was
silence between them.

He leaned back at length in the deep chair. 'What a world!' he said.
'Mabel, will you play something on the piano that expresses mere joy,
the genuine article, nothing feverish or like thorns under a pot, but
joy that has decided in favour of the universe? It's a mood that can't
last altogether, so we had better get all we can out of it.'

She went to the instrument and struck a few chords while she thought.
Then she began to work with all her soul at the theme in the last
movement of the Ninth Symphony which is like the sound of the opening of
the gates of Paradise.

CHAPTER XV: Double Cunning

An old oaken desk with a deep body stood by the window in a room that
overlooked St. James's Park from a height. The room was large, furnished
and decorated by some one who had brought taste to the work; but the
hand of the bachelor lay heavy upon it. John Marlowe unlocked the desk
and drew a long, stout envelope the back of the well.

'I understand,' he said to Mr Cupples, 'that you have read this.'

'I read it for the first time two days ago,' replied Mr Cupples, who,
seated on a sofa, was peering about the room with a benignant face. 'We
have discussed it fully.'

Marlowe turned to Trent. 'There is your manuscript,' he said, laying
the envelope on the table. 'I have gone over it three times. I do not
believe there is another man who could have got at as much of the truth
as you have set down there.'

Trent ignored the compliment. He sat by the table gazing stonily at the
fire, his long legs twisted beneath his chair. 'You mean, of course, he
said, drawing the envelope towards him, 'that there is more of the truth
to be disclosed now. We are ready to hear you as soon as you like. I
expect it will be a long story, and the longer the better, so far as I
am concerned; I want to understand thoroughly. What we should both like,
I think, is some preliminary account of Manderson and your relations
with him. It seemed to me from the first that the character of the dead
man must be somehow an element in the business.'

'You were right, Marlowe answered grimly. He crossed the room and seated
himself on a corner of the tall cushion-topped fender. 'I will begin as
you suggest.'

'I ought to tell you beforehand, said Trent, looking him in the eyes,
'that although I am here to listen to you, I have not as yet any reason
to doubt the conclusions I have stated here