Page 136 (1/1)

"Yes" Sir Richard spoke rather dubiously "And it will be rather hard to find out that, I fear You see, naturally a decent o aboutopen inquiries"

"I suppose not" For a second Anstice was nonplussed, then his face cleared "But after all, if anyone--one ofletters, don't you think I shall find it out? You see, although the average 'decent man,' as you call him, holds firmly to the theory that the place for an anonymous communication is the fire, I', even while they burn it, how much truth there was in the accusation!"

"Just so--but even then----"

"Well, so of that rather uncomfortable wonder, not to say suspicion, is pretty sure to show itself in the manner of the man who's read the letter Seriously, Sir Richard, if anyone beside yourself has received a testiuarantee to discover the fact in the course of ten ht, Anstice" Sir Richard did not speak with much conviction "But for all our sakes I e could make certain of the facts either way You see, should this lie be circulated through the district by means of letters or postcards it is inevitable that the old scandal should be raked up And in that case Mrs Carstairs will suffer"

A thought struck Anstice suddenly and he gave it utterance forthwith

"Sir Richard, I suppose you don't re in any of those other letters rese afterwards, but still----"

Sir Richard uttered an impatient exclaot one of the original letters locked away in that desk now--one of the half-dozen or so which reached ht I don't knohy I kept it--God knows I hated the sight of it--but so against hope that it ht some day afford a clue to the identity of the writer"

He busied himself with a bunch of keys for a moment, and finally selected one, hich he unlocked a serness prevented hiht another and rather worn sheet of paper, which he handed to Anstice triumphantly