al
bland courtesy, and listened attentively to whatever the two gentlemen
had to say. Lawyers who know their business always allow their clients
to run out their stories even when knowing that the words so spoken are
wasted words. It is the quickest way of arriving at their desired
result. Lord George had a good deal to say, because his mind was full
of the conviction that he would not for worlds put an obstacle in the
way of his brother's heir, if he could be made sure that the child was
the heir. He wished for such certainty, and cursed the heavy chance
that had laid so grievous a duty on his shoulders.

When he had done, Mr. Battle began. "I think, Lord George, that I have
learned most of the particulars."

Lord George started back in his chair. "What particulars?" said the
Dean.

"The Marchioness's late husband,--for she doubtless is his Lordship's
wife,--was a lunatic."

"A lunatic!" said Lord George.

"We do not quite know when he died, but we believe it was about a month
or two before the date at which his Lordship wrote home to say that he
was about to be married."

"Then that child cannot be Lord Popenjoy," said the Dean with
exultation.

"That's going a little too fast, Mr. Dean. There may have been a
divorce."

"There is no such thing in Roman Catholic countries," said the Dean.
"Certainly not in Italy."

"I do not quite know," said the lawyer. "Of course we are as yet very
much in the dark. I should not wonder if we found that there had been
two marriages. All this is what we have got to find out. The lady
certainly lived in great intimacy with your brother before her first
husband died."

"How do you know anything about it?" asked Lord George.

"I happened to have heard the name of the Marchese Luigi, and I knew
where to apply for information."

"We did not mean that any inquiry should be made so suddenly," said
Lord George angrily.

"It was for the best," said the Dean.

"Certainly for the best," said the unruffled lawyer. "I would now
recommend that I may be commissioned to send out my own confidential
clerk to learn all the circumstances of the case; and that I should
inform Mr. Stokes that I am going to do so, on your instructions, Lord
George." Lord George shivered. "I think we should even offer to give
his Lordship time to send an agent with my clerk if he pleases to do
so, or to send one separately at the same time, or to take any other
step that he may please. It is clearly your