The grave-faced man read it with the closest attention, and in due course handed it back. “This cuts both ways, my lord. You probably are not possessed of what we call the legal mind. I am, being in the profession of the law myself, I am a solicitor. If I were acting as your counsel, I should urge this as an almost convincing proof of your innocence. But how would the counsel on the other side argue? He would say that letter was written with a purpose, as the result of an agreement between both parties, the purpose being to avert suspicion if, by an unforeseen accident, you were discovered together. He would also say that if the visit were a perfectly innocent one, there would be no necessity to get the servants out of the way. Mind you, I am endeavouring to show you what would present itself to the legal mind. It would give me the greatest pleasure to prove Edwards in the wrong, but I fear that letter won’t help me.” It might be a mere coincidence, but he was using just the same argument that the husband had employed. Having once allowed the suspicious side of his nature to develop itself, Wraysbury suspected this grave-faced man. “What is the object of this visit, Mr. Glenthorne?” he asked sharply. “My deep concern for my niece’s welfare,” was the reply. “It is an awful thing to contemplate a beautiful young woman’s career being blasted almost before it has begun, as it must be if this affair comes into court.” “Had you not better show that letter to Edwards, and point out to him the consequences of the step he is taking?” Mr. Glenthorne spoke, Wraysbury thought, in a less assured tone. “Unfortunately Edwards is a very obstinate man, a very vindictive one. The only thing one could appeal to, perhaps, would be his cupidity. He is very fond of money for its own sake, not because he hasn’t plenty of his own.” Wraysbury repressed a smile. Sharpened by his experience of recent events, he divined that this solemn-faced, not very prepossessing person had come as an emissary. Realizing the delicacy of his mission, he experienced some embarrassment in coming to the point. He was now evidently on the road to it. “Will you speak a little more plainly, sir? I am not a very subtle person myself. Will you tell me what is in your mind?” And Glenthorne told him. “If this matter comes into court, Lord Wraysbury, it will not only ruin my niece for life, it will be a very serious thing for you, it will damage you greatly, and cause terrible grief to your most worthy parents. I think it is worth a considerable sacrifice, even from your own point of view, to prevent it reaching that stage.” The man was showing his hand very plainly now. Wraysbury, with a face as grave as his own, led him on. “In plain English, you suggest this injured husband, as he pretends to be, can be bought off?”