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Again Bruce Cheniston looked hienuine surprise in his blue eyes

"I don't think I have given you reason to suppose I resentyou," he said with a new note in his voice, a note of so more definitely like hostility than he had hitherto permitted himself to show "Since you have started the subject I reet as a brother the man who has robbed one of one'smetaphorically, of course--but I think you can hardly find fault with my--hesitation just now"

"Oh, you have been politeness itself," said Anstice, rather bitterly "And in return for your forbearance I will relieve you of my unwelcome presence immediately Luckily my profession makes it easy for me to behave hat, in another man, would appear discourtesy"

He turned towards the door; but Bruce's voice arrested him midway

"One moo yet, please There are still one or two things to be said between us Will you dous talk a little?"

"I don't see what good will come of it, but I'll stay if you wish" Anstice returned to the table, and drawing out a chair--the one which Iris had occupied during the htly defiant air

"To begin with"--Cheniston spoke abruptly--"I gather you know my sister's story--know the bitter injustice that has been done to her in this damned place?"

Rather taken aback Anstice hesitated before replying, and Cheniston continued without waiting for him to speak: "I say you know it, becauseto her house anyone who is ignorant of that horrible chapter in her history And since I find you here, not only as a doctor, but as a friend, I gather you believe she was innocent of the charge against her"

"Most certainly I believe in Mrs Carstairs' innocence" He spoke warrateful to you" His tone did not betray overwhel of his spirit "To me, of course, it is absolutely inconceivable how anyone could believecrime--or series of crimes--but doubtless I am biassed in her favour Still, you are a new acquaintance, and don't know her as I do; so that I ahtedness in the matter"