this girl again--why, he could not then think.

Spargo, thus coming face to face with these three, mechanically lifted
his hat. Breton stopped, half inquisitive. His eyes seemed to ask a
question.

"Yes," said Spargo. "I--the fact is, I remembered that you said you
were coming up here, and I came after you. I want--when you've time--to
have a talk, to ask you a few questions. About--this affair of the dead
man, you know."

Breton nodded. He tapped Spargo on the arm.

"Look here," he said. "When this case of mine is over, I can give you
as much time as you like. Can you wait a bit? Yes? Well, I say, do me a
favour. I was taking these ladies round to the gallery--round there,
and up the stairs--and I'm a bit pressed for time--I've a solicitor
waiting for me. You take them--there's a good fellow; then, when the
case is over, bring them down here, and you and I will talk. Here--I'll
introduce you all--no ceremony. Miss Aylmore--Miss Jessie Aylmore. Mr.
Spargo--of the _Watchman_. Now, I'm off!" Breton turned on the instant;
his gown whisked round a corner, and Spargo found himself staring at
two smiling girls. He saw then that both were pretty and attractive,
and that one seemed to be the elder by some three or four years.

"That is very cool of Ronald," observed the elder young lady. "Perhaps
his scheme doesn't fit in with yours, Mr. Spargo? Pray don't--"

"Oh, it's all right!" said Spargo, feeling himself uncommonly stupid.
"I've nothing to do. But--where did Mr. Breton say you wished to be
taken?"

"Into the gallery of number seven court," said the younger girl
promptly. "Round this corner--I think I know the way."

Spargo, still marvelling at the rapidity with which affairs were moving
that morning, bestirred himself to act as cicerone, and presently led
the two young ladies to the very front of one of those public galleries
from which idlers and specially-interested spectators may see and hear
the proceedings which obtain in the badly-ventilated, ill-lighted tanks
wherein justice is dispensed at the Law Courts. There was no one else
in that gallery; the attendant in the corridor outside seemed to be
vastly amazed that any one should wish to enter it, and he presently
opened the door, beckoned to Spargo, and came half-way down the stairs
to meet him.

"Nothing much going on here this morning," he whispered behind a raised
hand. "But there's a nice breach case in number five--get you three
good seats there if