vidence that
you bring before me will have to be thoroughly investigated by
lawyers?' He was half sorry that he had spoken sharply when Purvis
replied with his usual quietness, 'That goes without saying.'

'I dislike anything sensational,' Peter said; 'and this is a case in
which I much prefer that all information which you get shall be brought
direct to me. To be suddenly confronted with my brother might be very
interesting from the point of view of an Adelphi audience; but then,
you see, we are not in a theatre at present.'

'The facts in this case,' replied Purvis, 'are quite exceptional; you
will allow this, I think, when you know them, and you will then
appreciate the fact that it was necessary to get the whole of the
evidence quite clearly established before making the final results
known to you.'

'We have hardly time to argue the subject,' said Peter, 'seeing that
your pony is at the door. The solicitor in Buenos Ayres, whom Sir John
Falconer recommended to me, will meet you here any day you like to
name, and we can go into the matter thoroughly with you together.'

'That would be the most satisfactory plan,' said Purvis, raising his
weak eyes to Peter. 'Meanwhile,' he said, 'my expenses in this matter
have been considerable; perhaps you would kindly look at my account
before starting?'

'No,' said Peter shortly, 'I could not. I am not in the habit of
looking over my accounts by moonlight in the garden.'

'A hundred pounds on account,' said Purvis, 'would enable me to bring
this important matter to a conclusion. Without that, I fear, I am
powerless.'

It ended in Toffy and Peter putting their available cash together and
giving Purvis seventy pounds, and the clerkly man of ink produced a
stamp and a stylographic pen from his pocket, and made out the receipt
on the little dining-room table and handed it to Peter.

'Thank you,' said Peter, relenting a little. He was annoyed with
himself for the irritation which Purvis produced in him. After all, he
had asked him for his assistance, and he was giving it to the best of
his ability. He went as far as the door with him, and said, 'If the
claim is established, remember I should like to see Edward Ogilvie as
soon as possible. Wire to me all particulars, and be so good as to
convey to him that we are anxious to do the right thing by him. I
should not like him to feel, for instance, that the fact of his
existence was any cause of resentment with any of