pose not; and I regard myself as very effectively snubbed," said
she, smiling, but evidently somewhat piqued by my not very tactful
observation.

I was hastening to repair my error with apologies and self-accusations,
when the door opened and an elderly lady entered the room. She was
somewhat stout, amiable and placid of mien, and impressed me (to be
entirely truthful) as looking rather foolish.

"Here is Mrs. Hornby," said Miss Gibson, presenting me to her hostess;
and she continued, "Dr. Jervis has come to ask about the 'Thumbograph.'
You haven't destroyed it, I hope?"

"No, my dear," replied Mrs. Hornby. "I have it in my little bureau. What
did Dr. Jervis wish to know about it?"

Seeing that she was terrified lest some new and dreadful surprise should
be sprung upon her, I hastened to reassure her.

"My colleague, Dr. Thorndyke, is anxious to examine it. He is directing
your nephew's defence, you know."

"Yes, yes," said Mrs. Hornby. "Juliet told me about him. She says he is
a dear. Do you agree with her?"

Here I caught Miss Gibson's eye, in which was a mischievous twinkle, and
noted a little deeper pink in her cheeks.

"Well," I answered dubiously, "I have never considered my colleague in
the capacity of a dear, but I have a very high opinion of him in every
respect."

"That, no doubt, is the masculine equivalent," said Miss Gibson,
recovering from the momentary embarrassment that Mrs. Hornby's artless
repetition of her phrase had produced. "I think the feminine expression
is more epigrammatic and comprehensive. But to return to the object of
Dr. Jervis's visit. Would you let him have the 'Thumbograph,' aunt, to
show to Dr. Thorndyke?" "Oh, my dear Juliet," replied Mrs. Hornby, "I
would do anything--anything--to help our poor boy. I will never believe
that he could be guilty of theft--common, vulgar theft. There has been
some dreadful mistake--I am convinced there has--I told the detectives
so. I assured them that Reuben could not have committed the robbery, and
that they were totally mistaken in supposing him to be capable of such
an action. But they would not listen to me, although I have known him
since he was a little child, and ought to be able to judge, if anyone
is. Diamonds, too! Now, I ask you, what could Reuben want with diamonds?
and they were not even cut."

Here Mrs. Hornby drew forth a lace-edged handkerchief and mopped her
eyes.

"I am sure Dr. Thorndyke will be very much interested to