"What causes you to allege this?" she asked quickly, looking sharply into my eyes. "Because I have seen them together," I answered. "I have overheard their conversation." "It can't be true that they are close acquaintances," she said in a low, mechanical voice, as though speaking to herself. "It's impossible." "Why impossible?" I inquired. "Because there are facts which have conclusively shown that there could have been no love between them." "Are those facts so remarkable, Muriel, that you are compelled to conceal them from me?" I asked seriously in earnest. "At present they are," she faltered. "What you have told me has increased the mystery tenfold. I had never expected that they were friends." "And if they were, what then?" I inquired in eagerness. "Then the truth must be stranger than I had ever dreamed," she answered in a voice which betrayed her blank bewilderment. The striking of the clock warned her that it was time she was going, and caused me to recollect that a man would call in a few minutes to repay a loan I had given him. He was an officer--a very decent fellow whom I had known for years, and who for a few weeks had been in rather low water. But he was again in funds, and having met me at the club that afternoon he promised to run over at ten o'clock, smoke a cigar, and repay me. I regretted this engagement, because it prevented me seeing Muriel home; but when I referred to it she declared that she would take a cab from the rank outside, as she had done so many times in the old days of our friendship, and she would get back quite comfortably. She buttoned her gloves, and after kissing me fondly re-adjusted her veil. Then, when we had repeated our vows of undying affection and she had promised me to return and lunch with me next morning, as it was Sunday, she went out and down the stairs. I was a trifle annoyed that, at the club earlier in the day, I had made the appointment with Bryant, but the sum I had lent was sixty pounds, and, knowing what a careless fellow he was, I felt that it was best to obtain repayment now, when he offered it; hence I was prevented from accompanying Muriel. But as it could not be avoided, and as she had expressed herself perfectly content to return alone, I cast myself again in my chair, mixed a whiskey and soda, lit a cigarette, and gave myself up to reflection. Muriel loved me. I cared for nought else in all the world. She would be my wife, and after travelling on the Continent for a while we would live somewhere in the country quietly, where we could enjoy ourselves amid that rural peace which to the London-worn is so restful, so refreshing, and so soothing. After perhaps a quarter of an hour I heard Simes go to the door, and Bryant's voice exclaim hurriedly--"Is your master in?" "Come in, my dear fellow! Come in!" I shouted, without rising from my chair. Next instant he dashed into the room, his face white and scared, exclaiming--