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"Well, I did venture to hope that my few friends would not believe it," returned Anstice, s "And if I had only myself to consider I should not bother my head about it But you see there is someone else----"

"You mean Mrs Carstairs?" His manner was suddenly brisk "Quite so Of course a second series of letters would re yourself to allow me to have that letter I will sub fellows----"

Anstice interrupted him abruptly

"I've already done so And the report of the expert I consulted--a well-known man of the name of Clive--is that both these letters ritten by the same hand"

"Ah! And did the expert utter any further authoritative dicta on the ave me two--possible--clues" Anstice spoke slowly "The letters are, he says, probably written by a wo presuner--for instance"--he paused--"an Italian"

"An Italian?" For a second Major Carstairs looked blank Then a ray of light illu of my wife's maid, old Tochatti, are you?"

"Well"--he spoke deliberately--"to tell you the truth, ever since Clive suggested a foreigner, I have been wondering whether the wo to do with the letters"

"But old Tochatti! Why, she is absolutely devoted to my wife--been with her for years, ever since she was a child No, believe me, Dr Anstice, you must write Tochatti off the list"

"Very well" Anstice ht to his own opinion "As you say, the woman certainly appears devoted both to Mrs Carstairs and the child But I'ated in so serious a matter?"

"Quite so And you ated By the way, you said soht?"

"Yes And it's ti at his watch "Shall I have the pleasure of your coht I have one or two matters to attend to in town, and I must write and prepare Mrs Carstairs for my visit But I shall certainly be down shortly, and I hope I "