"Whew!" he whistled. "What's in the wind there? This is an uncommonly stiff invitation. That rascal White has upset her, I'll be bound. I _must_ choke him off somehow. Suppose he were to find that damaged bracket! He would have Mensmore under trial at the Old Bailey in double-quick time. After I leave Mrs. Hillmer I must visit No. 12 again, and carry off that pair of brackets before White discovers them, as he will haunt the place in future." Bruce had a set of skeleton keys in his possession. They were in his pocket when he approached Raleigh Mansions at the appointed hour. The same trim maid opened the door for him and ushered him into the drawing-room. On the occasion of his first visit he was taken to the dining-room. It was a small matter, but Bruce paid heed to such. Mrs. Hillmer appeared, very stately and undemonstrative. She greeted him coldly, seated herself at a distance, and said, in a cold, well-controlled voice: "I did not expect the honor of another visit from you, Mr. Bruce." "Why not?" There was a fight brewing, and he would let the enemy open fire. The glitter in her eyes showed that the batteries were ready to be unmasked. He was not mistaken. "Why not? Because I believed you to be a gentleman. Once you had stooped to sending your myrmidons to pester me I imagined that you would keep yourself in the background." There was an indignant ring in her words as she concluded. When a woman is angry her own speech acts as a trumpet-call and fires her blood. Mrs. Hillmer began, as she intended, in icy disdain. She ended in tremulous anger. "You allude to Mr. White?" said the barrister, looking steadily at her. "Yes, that is the man. Some hireling from Scotland Yard. How _could_ you so meanly induce my confidence at our first meeting? I have never been so deceived in a man in my life, and I have had a surfeit of bitter experience already." "Brother and sister are alike. They have led queer lives," mused Bruce. Aloud he said: "Your experience, Mrs. Hillmer, should at least lead you not to condemn any one unheard. May I explain that which is to you incomprehensible at this moment?--justly so, I admit." "Explanations! I am a child in the hands of such as you. How can I hope to fathom your real intent? Presumably, if I accept your apologies now, it will be a prelude to further visits by impudent police officers." "I am not here to apologize, Mrs. Hillmer." "What then, pray?" "To plead with you. For Heaven's sake do not distrust _me_. It may ruin those whom you hold dear. Listen to me first, and try to believe me afterwards." He was so thoroughly in earnest, so impressive in manner, that she did not know what to make of him. In her despair, she adopted a woman's chief resource--her eyes filled with tears. But he anticipated her.