"Please do like!" said Lady Beltham irritably. "Well," Walter replied, overcoming his nervousness with an effort, "he says your ladyship is well known for your charity to everybody, and--he wants to see you." There was a moment's pause. "I will see him," said Lady Beltham at last, in a half-stifled voice. "Will your ladyship allow me to point out the danger of doing any such thing?" Silbertown exclaimed. "Very likely the man is a lunatic! Or it may be a trick: Lord Beltham was murdered, and perhaps----" Lady Beltham looked intently at the major-domo, seemingly trying to read his thoughts. Then she answered slowly: "I will see him. I will be more pitiful than you," and as the major-domo and the porter made a gesture of futile protest, she added peremptorily: "I have given my orders: kindly obey." When the two men had reluctantly left the room, Lady Beltham turned to the three girls. "You had better leave me, darlings," she said, kindly but firmly. "Run away: excitement is bad for you. Go back to bed. No, I assure you I shall be in no danger whatever," and for a few minutes she was left alone. * * * * * "Speak," said Lady Beltham in a toneless voice. The major-domo and the porter had led in, and placed before her, a man with unkempt hair and ragged beard; he was dressed entirely in black, and his face was tired and haggard. Lady Beltham, ghastly pale, was leaning for support against the back of an arm-chair. The man did not raise his eyes to her. "I will not speak unless we are alone," he answered dully. "Alone?" said Lady Beltham, fighting down her emotion. "Then it is something serious you have to tell me?" "If you know anything of people in misfortune, Madame," the man answered gently, "you know that they do not like to humiliate themselves before--before those who cannot understand," and he nodded towards the major-domo and the porter. "I do know something of misfortune," Lady Beltham replied, in firmer tones; "and I will hear you alone." She looked at her two servants. "Leave us, please." The major-domo started. "Leave you alone with him? It's madness!" and as Lady Beltham merely looked at him in haughty surprise, he began to withdraw in confusion, but still protesting. "It's--it's---- Your ladyship has no idea what this fellow wants: do please----" But Lady Beltham curtly cut him short. "That is enough!" A heavy velvet curtain fell over the closing door, and in the room, that was dimly lighted by a small electric lamp, Lady Beltham was alone with the strange individual to whom she had so readily, so oddly, consented to accord a private interview. She followed her servants to the door and locked it after them. Then with a sudden movement she sprang towards the man, who was standing motionless in the middle of the room following her with his eyes, and flung herself into his arms.