"Mr. Eversleigh ill!" exclaimed Silwood, and stopped; inwardly he termed Eversleigh a poor weak fool without a particle of grit. Aloud he said, clicking out the words stiffly, "I am very sorry to hear it. What is the trouble?" "I don't think it is anything serious; he'll be all right by to-morrow." "He did not send me any message?" "He was asleep when I left the house. Mother told me he had been awake most of the night, but had dozed off towards morning." "I see. There was something I expected to hear from him, but it's possible you can tell me. It's just this. We received a letter on Saturday from Mr. Morris Thornton, in which he informed us that he was leaving Canada for England. Well, though he spoke of being here very soon, he did not give us any exact date. Of course, it is no great matter, but it seems just a little curious." "It must have been an oversight," said Williamson. "Perhaps so," assented Silwood. "I am not certain of that," remarked Ernest. "You have heard something?" queried Silwood. "Miss Thornton has heard from her father----" "I had an idea she might have definite word as to the date of her father's arrival," interposed Silwood. "Not, as I told you before, that it matters; it is only that one likes to satisfy one's curiosity sometimes." Thus carefully did Silwood minimize the interest he took in the date of Thornton's arrival in London. Certainly, Ernest Eversleigh had no suspicion of the vital importance the subject possessed, and Silwood's manner was so natural that even Williamson was put off the scent. "Miss Thornton," said Ernest, "had a letter also on Saturday; but her father did not specify the date of his coming to her either, the reason being, he told her, that he wishes to give her a pleasant surprise by dropping in on her when she isn't expecting him. Still, he said enough to make her expect him some day next week." "Some day next week!" repeated Silwood, with an indrawing of the breath. Then he continued in an ordinary tone, "He wishes to give her a surprise; that seems to me rather odd." "It is," agreed Ernest; and then he smiled. "There is something more," suggested Silwood, seeing the smile. "I was thinking," rejoined Ernest, laughing a little, "that the surprise will not be all on one side. Miss Kitty has prepared a surprise for him too." "Indeed!" "Yes. Kitty and Gilbert are engaged to be married." "Oh! Since when?" "Saturday night. I wonder what Mr. Thornton will say about it!" "I wonder!" echoed Silwood; but this subject did not concern him greatly, and he turned to his letters. Ernest took the hint, and left Silwood with Williamson. After a short talk about current business, Silwood sent away the head-clerk, having given him instructions to attend to any urgent matter in Francis Eversleigh's department which required immediate attention.