le. It was the
only course for an honourable man. What was right then must be doubly
right now. If Myra were here, she would bid me act as I propose, even
if it broke her heart."

"Even if it broke her heart," said Brettison thoughtfully. "I'm afraid
I should sin deeply sooner than let her break her heart."

"Brettison!" cried Stratton; "is my old friend to become my tempter now
at another crisis in my life? But you do not mean it. You are trying
me. Come, I have been tried enough. You seem to have given me a new
lease of life. Let us have no more trifling with duty; we have both
suffered enough. Tell me, where is this man?"

Brettison was silent for a few moments, and then looked up quietly.

"I will tell you soon. First of all, you are judging too hastily."

"No; I am saying what is right."

"Under certain circumstances; but you do not know all yet."

"What! Have you kept something back?"

"Yes."

"First, tell me where is this man. He has been in your charge ever
since his recovery."

"From the wound? Yes."

"And he submits to your dictation--to your rule?"

"Yes."

"Because he fears that you will give him up?"

"No; he does not fear that. But listen to me; you shall not judge too
hastily. Wait till you know all my reasons."

"Tell me them."

"Not now."

"When, then?"

"After you have seen James Barron."

"Seen him? Meet that man again?" cried Stratton, with a look of horror.

"Yes."

"Impossible!"

"No; it is my wish--my prayer. Come with me and see him. Then you
shall decide what should be done; and I give you my word that I will
follow out your wishes to the letter."

"You promise that?"

Brettison gave him his hand in token of his promise, and Stratton stood
thinking for a moment or two.

"Yes," he said then, "I have no cause to fear. It is cowardly to
refuse. When shall the meeting be?"

"To-morrow."

CHAPTER FORTY SIX.

A DOUBLE SURPRISE.

Land was not so valuable when Queen Charlotte's Road was built, and
people who directed letters to their friends in that locality did not
then place the letters "S.E." at the bottom of the address. In fact, so
low in price was the land that the speculative builder of that day--
whose name, by the way, was not Jeremiah, or Jerry, for the houses are
still standing--gave to each of the double-barrelled, or semi-detached
cottages, a goodly piece of garden back and front; and, instead of
piling up so many rooms by