"I beg your pardon," abjectly. The red had left Randall's face and in its place, as on a mirror, was forming another look, of comprehension--and more. "Yet you--advised; and if not that--" of a sudden he got to his feet. Something was coming he knew to a certainty--something unexpected, vital--and he felt better able so to meet it. "Just what did you mean?" Roberts was studying him deliberately, with the peculiar analytical look Armstrong of old had known so well. "You can't imagine yet," he queried, "not with the motive you fancied eliminated?" "You wish to do me a kindness, a disinterested kindness. For what reason?" "Cut out my motive, providing I have one, for the present. It's immaterial." "That doesn't help--I can't conceive--" On a sudden came a flash of light that augmented to a blaze. "Can it concern Margery and me? Is that it?" Roberts did not look up. "Yes," he said. "You know, then," tensely. "How much?" "Everything." Roberts inspected the wall-paper opposite as though interested. "If you'll permit me I'll help you to avoid an action for divorce." A pause. "One, moreover, I can't help but feel somewhat justified." For long, very long, there was silence absolute. Then, adequate time having passed, apparently Roberts lost interest in the wall pattern. "Sit down, please," he suggested. "At last it seems we understand each other. Let's talk things over a bit." CHAPTER III FRIENDSHIP "Very well, I'm listening." It had come about, that return of composure, more quickly than a stranger would have thought possible, perhaps more quickly than the visitor had expected. At least for a moment he did not follow the obvious lead. "Particularly I'm waiting for an explanation of that word 'justified' you used." The voice this time was low. "You recall you said 'justifiable action,' do you not?" "Somewhat justifiable, yes." Randall looked straight before him. "Don't you agree with me?" added Roberts. "Frankly, no. I admit I'm biassed, however--at least I trust I'm not a cad, unable to acknowledge a deficiency when shown." "Or to administer the remedy, providing that remedy is proved innocuous?" "Yes; I trust that also." "Very well, we'll return to 'justifiable' qualified. It will make things easier perhaps. You don't wonder how I happen to know about your trouble?" "There could be only one explanation." "Thank you. That simplifies matters also." A halt; then the fundamental question direct: "Will you trust me to help you, trust me unqualifiedly?" "Yes," no hesitation, no amplification, just that single word, "yes." Darley Roberts remained for a moment quite still.