“Begging your pardon, Mr. Mainwaring, I would judge the charges which you would prefer against this young man to be unusually serious; may I inquire their nature?”

The words were spoken with the utmost deliberation, but in the calm, even tones there was an implied challenge, which was all that was needed at that instant to fan Ralph Mainwaring’s wrath into a flame.  Utterly disregarding a cautionary glance from Mr. Whitney, he turned his monocle upon the speaker, glaring at him in contemptuous silence for a moment.

“You have decidedly the advantage of me, sir, but allow me to say that the person under discussion has not only, with unheard of effrontery, publicly and unblushingly proclaimed himself as a blackmailer and knave, capable of descending to any perfidy or treachery for the purpose of favoring his own base schemes, but he has also, in his inordinate greed and ambition, unwittingly proved himself by his own statements and conduct to be a villain of the deepest dye; and I will say, furthermore, that if Harold Scott Mainwaring, as he styles himself, ends his days upon the gallows in expiation of the foul murder of Hugh Mainwaring, he will have only himself to thank, for his own words and deeds will have put the noose about his neck.”

Having thus expressed himself, Ralph Mainwaring, without waiting for reply, left the room accompanied by Mr. Whitney.  The latter made no comment until they were seated in the carriage and rolling down the avenue; then he remarked, casually,-

“I was surprised, Mr. Mainwaring, that you failed to recognize the gentleman who addressed you as you were leaving the table.”

“His face was somewhat familiar; I have met him, but I cannot recall when or where.  I considered his tone decidedly offensive, however, and I proposed, whoever he might be, to give him to understand that I would brook no interference.  Do you know him?”

“I have never met him, but I know of him,” the attorney replied, watching his client closely.  “He is the Honorable J. Ponsonby Roget, Q. C., of London.  I supposed of course that you knew him.”

“J.  Ponsonby Roget, Queen’s Counsel?  Egad!  I have met him, but it was years ago, and he has aged so that I did not recognize him.  Strange!” he added, visibly annoyed.  “What the deuce is he doing in this country?”

“That is just what no one is able to say,” replied the attorney, slowly.  “He is stopping at the Waldorf, with our friends, the English party, but whether as a guest or in a professional capacity, no one has been able to ascertain.”

“Zounds, man! why did you not give me this information earlier?”

“For the good and sufficient reason, Mr. Mainwaring, that I did not learn of the facts myself until within the last two hours.  My attention was called to the gentleman as I entered the club.  I assumed, of course, that you knew him, at least by sight, and when he addressed you I supposed for the instant that you were acquaintances.”