to Mr. Green.

"Do we require this gentleman?" he asked the spy.

A smile broke over Rotherby's swam face. "By your leave, sir, I'll
remain to see fair play. You may find me useful, Mr. Green. I have no
cause to wish this marplot well," he explained.

Mr. Caryll turned his back upon him, took off his coat and waistcoat. He
sat down while Mr. Green spread the garments upon the table, emptied out
the pockets, turned down the cuffs, ripped up the satin linings. He did
it in a consummate fashion, very thoroughly. Yet, though he parted
the linings from the cloth, he did so in such a manner as to leave the
garments easily repairable.

Mr. Caryll watched him with interest and appreciation, and what time he
watched he was wondering might it not be better straightway to place
the spy in possession of the letter, and thus destroy himself and Lord
Ostermore, at the same time--and have done with the task on which he
was come to England. It seemed almost an easy way out of the affair. His
betrayal of the earl would be less ugly if he, himself, were to share
the consequences of that betrayal.

Then he checked his thoughts. What manner of mood was this? Besides,
his inclination was all to become better acquainted with this odd family
upon which he had stumbled in so extraordinary a manner. Down in his
heart of hearts he had a feeling that the thing he was come to do would
never be done--leastways, not by him. It was in vain that he might
attempt to steel himself to the task. It repelled him. It went not with
a nature such as his.

He thought of Everard, afire with the idea of vengence and to such an
extent that he had succeeded in infecting Justin himself with a spark
of it. He thought of him with pity almost; pity that a man should obsess
his life by such a phantasm as this same vengeance must have been to
him. Was it worth while? Was anything worth while, he wondered.

Lord Rotherby approached the table, and took up the garments upon which
Mr. Green had finished. He turned them over and supplemented Mr. Green's
search.

"Ye're welcome to all that ye can find," sneered Mr. Green, and turned
to Mr. Caryll. "Let us have your shoes, sir."

Mr. Caryll removed his shoes, in silence, and Mr. Green proceeded to
examine them in a manner that provoked Mr. Caryll's profound admiration.
He separated the lining from the Spanish leather, and probed slowly
and carefully in the space between. He examined the heels very closely,
going ov