o Mr. Reuben. You have known him for
some years?"

"I have known him intimately for six years," replied Miss Gibson.

"And what sort of character do you give him?"

"Speaking from my own observation of him," she replied, "I can say that
I have never known him to tell an untruth or do a dishonourable deed. As
to theft, it is merely ridiculous. His habits have always been
inexpensive and frugal, he is unambitious to a fault, and in respect to
the 'main chance' his indifference is as conspicuous as Walter's
keenness. He is a generous man, too, although careful and industrious."

"Thank you, Miss Gibson," said Thorndyke. "We shall apply to you for
further information as the case progresses. I am sure that you will help
us if you can, and that you can help us if you will, with your clear
head and your admirable frankness. If you will leave us your card, Dr.
Jervis and I will keep you informed of our prospects and ask for your
assistance whenever we need it."

After our fair visitor had departed, Thorndyke stood for a minute or
more gazing dreamily into the fire. Then, with a quick glance at his
watch, he resumed his hat and, catching up the microscope, handed the
camera case to me and made for the door. "How the time goes!" he
exclaimed, as we descended the stairs; "but it hasn't been wasted,
Jervis, hey?"

"No, I suppose not," I answered tentatively.

"You suppose not!" he replied. "Why here is as pretty a little problem
as you could desire--what would be called in the jargon of the novels, a
psychological problem--and it is your business to work it out, too."

"You mean as to Miss Gibson's relations with these two young men?"

Thorndyke nodded.

"Is it any concern of ours?" I asked.

"Certainly it is," he replied. "Everything is a concern of ours at this
preliminary stage. We are groping about for a clue and must let nothing
pass unscrutinised."

"Well, then, to begin with, she is not wildly infatuated with Walter
Hornby, I should say."

"No," agreed Thorndyke, laughing softly; "we may take it that the canny
Walter has not inspired a grand passion."

"Then," I resumed, "if I were a suitor for Miss Gibson's hand, I think I
would sooner stand in Reuben's shoes than in Walter's."

"There again I am with you," said Thorndyke. "Go on."

"Well," I continued, "our fair visitor conveyed to me the impression
that her evident admiration of Reuben's character was tempered by
something that she had heard from a th