e read such baseness into a brother's character.

"I beg your pardon," he said. "I ought to be ashamed to have
misunderstood you so. I could not escape the personal factor in this
terrible business, but you, I see, have duly weighed it. I wronged you.
Yes, I wronged you, as you say. The writing of that letter was a very
courageous action, under the circumstances--as plucky a thing as ever
man did, perhaps. Forgive me for taking so mean a view of it, and
forgive me for even doubting your motives."

"I want justice, and if I am misunderstood for doing my duty--why, that
is no new thing. I can face that, as better men have done before me."

There was a moment or two of silence; then Martin spoke, almost
joyfully.

"Thank God, I see a way out! It seldom happens that I am quick in any
question of human actions, but for once, I detect a road by which right
may be done and you still spared this terrible task. I do, indeed,
because I know Blanchard better than you do. I can guess what he has
been enduring of late, and I will show him how he may end the torture
himself by doing the right thing even now."

"It's fear of me scorching the man, not shame of his own crime."

"Then, as the stronger, as a soldier, put him out of his misery and set
your mind at ease. Believe me, you may do it without any reflection on
yourself. Tell him you have decided to take no step in the affair, and
leave the rest to me. I will wager I can prevail upon him to give
himself up. I am singularly confident that I can bring it about. Then,
if I fail, do what you consider to be right; but first give me leave to
try and save you from this painful necessity."

There followed a long silence. John Grimbal saw how much easier it was
to deceive another than himself, and, before the spectacle of his
deluded brother, felt that he appreciated his own real motives and
incentives at their true worth. The more completely was Martin
hoodwinked, the more apparent did the truth grow within John's mind.
What was in reality responsible for his intended action never looked
clearer than then, and as Martin spoke in all innocence of the courage
that must be necessary to perform such a deed, Grimbal passed through
the flash of a white light and caught a glimpse of his recent mental
processes magnified by many degrees in the blinding ray. The spectacle
sickened him a little, weakened him, touched the depths of him, stirred
his nature. He answered presently in a voice ha