client, and we will meet him on his own ground.  In the coming contest we will not only establish beyond all shadow of doubt our client’s sole right and title to the Mainwaring estate, but we will, at the same time, forever refute and silence any and every aspersion which Ralph Mainwaring may seek to cast upon him.  Even were there any truth in these insinuations, it would be time enough, when the charges should be preferred against our client, to brazen them before the public, but since they are only the product of spleen and malignity, simply consign them to the odium and obloquy to which they are entitled.”

“That is right!” responded two or three voices, while the reporter replied, courteously,-

“We will certainly respect your wishes, sir; but you see the public is on the qui vive, so to speak, over this case, and it is our business to get hold of every item which we can to add to the interest.  You have checked us off on some rather interesting matter already, I believe.”

“Perhaps so,” said Mr. Sutherland, quietly, “but I can promise you that before long there will be developments in the case which will give you boys all the interesting matter you will need for some time, and they will be fact, not fabrication.”

As the result of Mr. Sutherland’s prompt action, the newspapers contained no allusion to that evening’s scene at the club; but even his energy and caution were powerless to prevent the spread of the affair from lip to lip.  Mentioned scarcely above a whisper, the report rippled onward, the waves widening in all directions, with various alterations and additions, till it was regarded as an open secret in all circles of society.  It reached young Mainwaring in his rather secluded bachelor quarters at the Murray Hill, and he bowed his head in shame that a Mainwaring should stoop to so disgraceful an exhibition of his venomous rage and hatred.  It reached Harold Scott Mainwaring, and the smouldering fire in the dark eyes gleamed afresh and the proud face grew rigid and stern.  Donning overcoat and hat, he left his apartments at the Waldorf; and started forth in the direction of the club most frequented by Ralph Mainwaring and Mr. Whitney.

He had gone but a short distance when he met young Mainwaring.  The young men exchanged cordial greetings, and, at Harold’s request, his cousin retraced his steps to accompany him.

“Why are you making such a stranger of yourself; Hugh?  I have scarcely seen you of late,” said Harold, after a little general conversation.

“Well, to be frank with you, old boy, I haven’t been around so often as I would like for two reasons; for one thing, I find people generally are not inclined to regard our friendship in the same light that we do.  You and I understand one another, and you don’t suspect me of any flunkeyism, or any ulterior motive, don’t you know, -”

“I understand perfectly,” said Harold, as his cousin paused, seeming to find some difficulty in conveying his exact meaning; “and so long as you and I do understand each other, what is the use of paying any attention to outsiders?  Whether we were friends, or refused to recognize one another, their small talk and gossip would flow on forever, so why attempt to check it?”