"I reiterate," responded Rutley, in the same even tone of voice, "the particular ring in question was a gift from Constance, John Thorpe's wife, and not from Hazel." Gasping for breath, Thorpe turned his head aside and groaned as he remembered it was his gift to Constance before they were married. Suddenly he gripped Rutley by the sleeve. They halted and confronted each other. And the dark formless shadow that had followed them also halted. "From whom have you your information?" queried Thorpe, looking into Rutley's eyes. "I do not feel at liberty to mention, but it can be substantiated." "By whom?" demanded Thorpe. "Well, I don't know of any person more capable than a--a--Mr. Thorpe's wife!" replied Rutley in a most nonchalant and matter-of-fact manner. And even through the depth of the gloom that surrounded them he saw the scarlet flush of rage and shame flame across Thorpe's white brow as he bowed his head, humbled to the dust. For a moment not a word was spoken by either of the men. Suddenly Thorpe looked up and hoarsely said: "My wife! Give me two or three, one which she can substantiate." "My dear Thorpe," deprecatingly pleaded Rutley. "You have called upon me to undertake a very unpleasant task." "Your Lordship has gone too far to recede. I must know all"--and there was imminent danger in Thorpe's quivering voice, which Rutley felt was not to be trifled with. "Well--one thing--Corway's close and steady attention to her during your absence in China." "You mean to Hazel?" said Thorpe, with a look so deeply concentrated that the movement of a single hair of Rutley's eyelash would have meant an instant blow on the mouth. "No, I mean--to your wife," accentuated Rutley. "Their secret and protracted wanderings offended your sister. Reproofs, reproaches and warnings were unavailing and ended in Corway being refused admittance to your house, which resulted in frequent quarrels between your wife and your sister." Thorpe here recalled Virginia's warning, "Corway will bear watching," and he moaned, "Oh, God!" "He tried many pretenses to regain communication with your wife," resumed Rutley, "one being to visit Hazel Brooke, for whom, except for her money, he has no regard whatever. At length on the discovery of secret correspondence, Virginia became aghast at his boldness and contemplated seeking legal aid when you returned. Of course, she retired and left the matter in your hands and she was unwilling at that time to shock your home-coming with a knowledge of the truth." "Enough! Enough! Oh, God, what a vile thing has nestled here!" And John Thorpe pressed both hands tightly over his heart in a vain endeavor to suppress the emotion that filled his throat and choked his utterances, and tears of shame gathered in his eyes as he continued slowly: "When--I--wedded Constance--I took to myself the purest angel out of heaven. But now--! Farewell happiness--farewell peace--forever! Oh, Corway, I want to clutch you by the throat!"