"Well, sir, my experience of human nature is that you can very seldom trust anybody's word." At last Smith announced Mrs. Hillmer and Mr. Mensmore. When they entered Bruce was for the moment at a loss to know exactly how to receive them. But Mrs. Hillmer settled the matter by greeting him with a quiet "Good-evening," and seating herself. Mensmore stood near the door, very pale and stern-looking. "It appears, Mr. Bruce," he said, "that we met in Monte Carlo under false pretences. You were, it seems, a detective on the track of a murderer, and you were good enough to believe that I was the person you sought. It would have saved some misconception on my part had you explained our _rôles_ earlier. However, I am here, to meet the charge." Claude was not unprepared for this attitude on Mensmore's part. But he was determined that it should not continue if he could help it. "When we parted at Monte Carlo, Mensmore," he said, "we parted as friends." "Yes." "Then tell me what has happened since to cause this obvious change in your opinion of me?" "Is it not true that you suspect me of murdering Lady Dyke?" "No." "But why has my sister been told that I ran serious risk of being apprehended on that account?" "Because we certainly did suspect a mysterious personage who called himself Sydney H. Corbett, and whose behavior was so unaccountable that the authorities required a reasonable explanation of it." "Do I understand, Bruce, that we meet with no more suspicion between us than when we last saw each other?" "Most certainly." "Then I ask your pardon for my manner and words. I have suffered keenly during the last three days from this cruel thought. Let us shake hands on it." As their hands met they both heard Mrs. Hillmer stifle a sob. Mensmore turned to her. "Now, Gwen," he said, "don't be foolish. We will soon clear up this miserable business. So far as we are concerned, all we need to do is to tell the truth and fear nobody." "That's it," said White. "If you adopt that course the matter will soon be ended." Mensmore turned to the speaker. He guessed his identity, but Bruce introduced the detective by name. "Well," said Mensmore, "I have come here to answer questions. What is it you want to know?" Mr. White glanced at the barrister, and the other explained. "I have, as you may already realize, taken more than a passive interest in this inquiry, so the questioning largely devolves on me. First, tell me why you adopted the name of Corbett?"