those three
events in his life had been the great strains to which his nerves and
sensibilities had been subjected in the past.

But this was altogether different. The sensations which the good man
experienced were such that he scarcely knew them himself; he had faced
sorrow before, never dishonour--some one else's dishonour, of
course--still it touched him very nearly, for, though he might not be
a very keen observer, he dearly loved his daughter, and dishonour
seemed to be touching her, striking at her through Luke.

CHAPTER XX

AND THAT'S THE TRUTH

Frederick Power was shown in.

I won't have you think that there was anything remarkable about the
man, or anything that would--even momentarily--distinguish him from
any number of other hall porters, who wear a uniform and peaked cap,
have the air of having seen military service, and wear a couple of
medals on a well-developed chest.

He was perfectly respectful, all the more so because Sir Thomas was
General Sir Thomas Ryder, K.C.B.--a fact which impressed the
ex-soldier far more than any other exalted title, non-military in
character, would have done.

He saluted and stood at attention, and as he gave answer to Sir
Thomas's preliminary questions his words rang out clear and direct,
obviously truthful, as if echoing in the barrack yard at 6 A.M. of a
frosty spring morning.

"Your name is----?"

"Frederick Power, sir."

"You are hall porter at the Veterans' Club in Shaftesbury Avenue?"

"Yes, sir."

"You were in the lobby of the club last night as usual?"

"Yes, sir."

"And Mr. Philip de Mountford, who is a member of the club, was in the
smoking room at eight o'clock yesterday evening?"

"Yes, sir."

"He came almost every evening, I understand?"

"That's right, sir."

"Alone mostly?"

"Not often, sir. Lord Radclyffe was with him most evenings."

"And Lord Radclyffe and Mr. de Mountford dined together on those
occasions in the club dining-room?"

"Yes, sir."

"But last night Mr. de Mountford was alone?"

"Yes, sir. He had some dinner at about half past seven and then he
went to the smoking room."

"Later on a gentleman called to see him?"

"That's right, sir. It was about a quarter past eight. The gentleman
asked to see Lord Radclyffe, but I said that 'is lordship 'adn't come
to the club this night. Then the gentleman asked if Mr. de Mountford
was in, and I said yes."

"And you showed him into the smoking room?"

"I told 'im