“But how came he at the club?  None of the party from the Waldorf were with him.”

“He was there as the especial guest of Chief-Justice Parmalee, of the Supreme Court, the gentleman on his left.  Judge Parmalee spent much of his life in London, and the two are particular friends.”

“Well, it’s done, and can’t be undone, and I don’t know that I regret it,” Ralph Mainwaring remarked, sullenly.  “If he chooses to identify himself with that side of the case he is at liberty to do so, but he has my opinion of his client gratis.”

Mr. Whitney made no reply, and the drive was concluded in silence.

Meanwhile, Ralph Mainwaring had no sooner left the club than a chorus of exclamations, protests, and running comments arose on all sides.

“Harold Scott Mainwaring the murderer of Hugh Mainwaring!  That is carrying this farce beyond all bounds!”

“If he cannot get possession of the property in any other way, he will send the new heir to the gallows, eh?”

“He will attempt it, too; he is desperate,” said one.

“He may make it pretty serious for the young fellow,” said another, thoughtfully.  “You remember, by his own statements he was the last person who saw Hugh Mainwaring alive; in fact, he was in his library within a few moments preceding his death; and after all that has been brought to light, it’s not to be supposed that he had any great affection for his uncle.”

“What is this, gentlemen?” said a reporter, briskly, appearing on the scene, note-book in hand.  “Any new developments in the Mainwaring case?”

“Yes, a genuine sensation!” shouted two or three voices.

“Gentlemen, attention a moment!” said a commanding voice outside, and an instant later a tall, well-known form entered.

“The ubiquitous Mr. Sutherland!” laughingly announced a jovial young fellow, standing near the entrance.

“Sutherland, how is this?” demanded one of the elder gentlemen.  “Have you a private battery concealed about your person with invisible wires distributed throughout the city, that you seem to arrive at any and every spot just on the nick of time?”

“That is one of the secrets of the profession, Mr. Norton, not to be revealed to the uninitiated,” replied the attorney, while a quick glance flashed between himself and the Queen’s Counsel.

“There is one thing, gentlemen,” he continued, with great dignity, “to which I wish to call your attention, particularly you gentlemen of the press.  I am aware of the nature of the ‘sensation’ of which you made mention a moment ago, but I wish it distinctly understood that it is to be given no publicity whatever.  The name of my client is not to be bandied about before the public in connection with any of Ralph Mainwaring’s imputations or vilifications, for the reason that they are wholly without foundation.  We are thoroughly cognizant of that gentleman’s intentions regarding our