th in him. It was so true.'

'What was that?'

'That loss of memory often gave a kind of sixth sense. He said he
should not be surprised if I had very vivid premonitions of the future.
That I had a kind of knowledge when something out of the common were
going to happen. That's what makes me afraid.'

'Afraid?'

'Yes, afraid. I seem to be on the brink of a great black chasm. I
feel that I am able to save myself from falling, only I won't. I say,
what's that?'

'It's a motor-car,' I replied. 'Sir Thomas told me he had other guests
coming.'

'What guests? Who are they?'

'How can I know?' I replied, for I feared to tell him what our host had
told me about Lord Carbis's relations to Springfield, and that probably
Lorna's engagement might be announced in a few hours.

We were both dressed ready for dinner a quarter of an hour before the
time announced, and together we found our way downstairs into the
reception hall. Early as we were, we found that not only was Lorna
Bolivick there, but George St. Mabyn was also present and was talking
eagerly to Norah Blackwater. Springfield also came a few seconds
later, and went straight to Lorna's side and spoke to her with an air
of proprietorship.

I felt that Edgecumbe and I were _de trop_, and I moved away from them,
but Edgecumbe went to St. Mabyn and Norah Blackwater, as if with the
purpose of speaking to them. I thought, too, that there was a strange
look in his eyes.

'You are not much like your brother Maurice,' he said suddenly.

'My brother Maurice!' said St. Mabyn, and I thought his voice was
hoarse. 'What do you know of him?'

'What do I know of him?' repeated Edgecumbe, and he spoke as though his
mind were far away.

'Yes. You can know nothing of him. He's dead.'

'No,' replied Edgecumbe, 'he's not dead.'

'Not dead!' and St. Mabyn almost gasped the words, while his face
became as pale as ashes. 'Not dead! You must be mad!' Then he
laughed uneasily.

'Oh, no,' and Edgecumbe still spoke in the same toneless voice. 'I
knew him well. He was--where did I see him last?'

Before we could recover from the effect of what he said, I knew that
we were joined by others. In a bewildered kind of way I noticed
that Sir Thomas and Lady Bolivick were accompanied by a tall,
distinguished-looking man about fifty-five years of age, by whose side
stood a sweet-faced, motherly-looking woman.

'Lorna, my dear,' said Sir Thomas, 'I want you to know Lor