“Unhappy truths cannot be long concealed.  How soon does the doctor think my brother can bear these inevitable revelations?”

“He said this morning that if his patient were as well to-morrow as his present condition gives promise of, he might be told in another week.”

Orlando bowed his appreciation of this fact, but added quickly: 

“Who is to do the telling?”

“Doris.  Nobody else could be trusted with so delicate a task.”

“I wish to be present.”

Mr. Challoner looked up, surprised at the feeling with which this request was charged.

“As his brother—­his only remaining relative, I have that right.  Do you think that Dor—­that Miss Scott, can be trusted not to forestall that moment by any previous hint of what awaits him?”

“If she so promises.  But will you exact this from her?  It surely cannot be necessary for me to say that your presence will add infinitely to the difficulty of her task.”

“Yet it is a duty I cannot shirk.  I will consult the doctor about it.  I will make him see that I both understand and shall insist upon my rights in this matter.  But you may tell Miss Doris that I will sit out of sight, and that I shall not obtrude myself unless my name is brought up in an undesirable way.”

The hand on the door-knob made a sudden movement.

“Mr. Brotherson, I can bear no more to-night.  With your permission, I will leave this question to be settled by others.”  And with a repetition of his former bow, the bereaved father withdrew.

Orlando watched him till the door closed, then he too dropped his mask.

But it was on again, when in a little while he passed through the sitting-room on his way upstairs.

No other day in his whole life had been like this to the hardy inventor; for in it both his heart and his conscience had been awakened, and up to this hour he had not really known that he possessed either.

XXXI

WHAT IS HE MAKING

Other boxes addressed to O. Brotherson had been received at the station, and carried to the mysterious shed in the woods; and now, with locked door and lifted top, the elder brother contemplated his stores and prepared himself for work.

He had been allowed a short interview with Oswald, and he had indulged himself in a few words with Doris.  But he had left those memories behind with other and more serious matters.  Nothing that could unnerve his hand or weaken his insight should enter this spot sacred to his great hope.  Here genius reigned.  Here he was himself wholly and without flaw;—­a Titan with his grasp on a mechanical idea by means of which he would soon rule the world.