a telegram or telephone message through to Gifford to-night, I
think that appointment will be postponed indefinitely. You will
perhaps think me a sentimental fool for wishing to keep Panton's
good opinion, but such is my wish.

"I am distressed at the thought of the trouble and worry to which
you must inevitably be exposed to-night. On the other hand, much
more trouble and worry in the future will thus have been saved,
even to you.

"Yours ever,

"Lionel Varick.

"I trust to your friendship to destroy this letter as soon as
read."

Blanche read the letter once again, right through, then she held out the
big sheet of paper, and dropped it into the heart of the fire.

For the second time that day she burst into tears, shaken to the depths
by the extraordinarily complicated feelings which filled her heart and
mind, feelings of horror and of pain--and yet of intense, immeasurable
relief!

Then she pulled herself together, and prepared to act, for the second
time that day, her part in a tragi-comedy in which where there had been
two characters there was now but one.

CHAPTER XXIV

Dr. Panton's appointment at the Home Office had been for half-past ten,
and, though there happened to be on this early January day an
old-fashioned, black London fog, he had been punctual to the minute.

It was now eight minutes to eleven, and he began to feel rather cross
and impatient.

There was nothing to do in the big, ugly, stately room into which he had
been shown. There was a bookcase, but it was locked, and he had not
brought a paper with him--but that, perhaps, was a good thing, for the
one electric globe gave a very bad light.

He wondered what manner of man Dr. Spiller might be--in any case a
remarkable and distinguished person, one of the great authorities on
poisons in Europe.

At last the door opened, and Dr. Panton felt surprised--even a little
disappointed. Not so had he imagined the famous Spiller.

"Forgive me for having kept you waiting, Dr.--er--Panton."

The tone of the quiet-looking, middle-aged man who stood before him was
extremely courteous, if a trifle uncertain and nervous.

"If I hadn't been lodging close by I should have been late, too, Dr.
Spiller."

"My name is not Spiller," said the other quickly. "I have come to
explain to you that the matter concerning which you were to see Dr.
Spiller this morning has been settled. We sho