morning."

"Gammon, you are so impulsive. Still, I suppose she had to know. Yes, I
suppose it was inevitable. Will she molest his relatives do you think?"

"She?" Gammon reflected. "I can't quite see her doing it. She may be a
bit angry, but--no, I don't think she'll bother anybody. I can't see
her doing it."

And still he meditated.

"You reserve to yourself; I presume, the duty of acquainting her with
these painful facts?"

"Me tell her? Why, I suppose I must if it comes to that. But--I'm
hanged if I shall enjoy it. Who else knows? Jorrocks! there's Polly.
I'd forgotten Polly!"

Gammon grew perplexed in mind and shadowed in countenance. Of a truth
Polly Sparkes had not once entered his mind since he saw her yesterday.
But he must see her again, and that to-night. Whew! He would now have
given a substantial sum to deprive Polly of the knowledge he had so
recklessly confided to her.

"You are impulsive, my friend," remarked the other, quietly amused.
"Impulsive and lacking in foresight."

"And you--Never mind; I won't say it. Still, you used to be a puzzle to
me, Greenacre; now I feel as if I was beginning to understand you a
bit."

The man of foresight--he was remarkably well-dressed this
evening--watched the smoke from his cigarette and smiled.

CHAPTER XXIV

THE TRAVELLER'S FICKLENESS AND FRAUD

In due course a coroner and his jury sat on the body of Lord Polperro;
in the order of things this inquest was publicly reported.

Readers of newspapers learnt that the eccentric nobleman, though in a
weak state of health, had the indiscretion to mingle with a crowd on
New Year's Eve; that he either accidentally fell or was knocked down by
some person unknown in the rough-and-tumble of the hour; in short, that
his death might fairly be accounted for by misadventure. The results of
the autopsy were not made known in detail, but a professional whisper
went about that among the causes contributory to Lord Polperro's death
were congestion of the lungs, softening of the brain, chronic
inflammation of the stomach, drunkard's liver, and Bright's disease of
the kidneys.

The unprofessional persons who came forward were Mr. Gammon, Lord
Polperro's housekeeper, and Miss Trefoyle. The name of Greenacre was
not so much as mentioned; the existence of a lady named Mrs. Clover
remained unknown to court and public.

On the following day Mr. Gammon had a private interview with Miss
Trefoyle. He was aware that this