"He gave none," the man answered; "but I think it is Sir Allan Beaumerville." "Ah!" Mr. Maddison felt a sudden relief which escaped him in that brief interjection. He was scarcely surprised at this visit. "I will go to him," he said. "Call me a hansom, Grey, will you?" The porter went outside, and Mr. Maddison crossed the hall and in a small, dimly-lit room, found himself face to face with his visitor. Sir Allan wore the brilliant uniform of a colonel in the yeomanry, for the dinner to which he was going was to be followed by an official reception. But he was very pale, and his manner had lost much of its studied nonchalance. "I followed you here," he began at once, "because, after your departure, I began to realize more fully the seriousness of what you told me." "Yes. I thought at the time that your indifference was a little remarkable," Mr. Maddison said quietly. The positions between them were entirely reversed. It was Sir Allan Beaumerville now who was placing a great restraint upon himself, and Mr. Maddison who was collected and at his ease. "I was taken by surprise," Sir Allan continued. "Since you left me I have been picturing all manner of horrible things. Have you fully realized that you may be arrested at any moment on this frightful charge?" "I have fully realized it," Mr. Maddison answered calmly. "In fact, when the porter told me that a gentleman wished to see me, I imagined at once that it had come." "And have you considered, too," Sir Allan continued, "how overwhelming the evidence is against you?" "I have considered it." "Then why do you linger here for one moment? Why don't you escape while you have the chance?" "Why should I?" Mr. Maddison answered. "I shall make no attempt to escape." Sir Allan's face grew a shade more pallid, and betrayed an agitation which he strove in vain to conceal. "But supposing you are arrested," he said quickly, "everything will go against you. What shall you do?" "I shall accept my fate, whatever it may be," was the quiet reply. "I prefer this to flight. Life would not be very valuable to me as a skulking criminal in a foreign country. If it be declared forfeit to the law, the law shall have it." There was a sudden choking in Sir Allan's voice, and an almost piteous look in his face. "God forbid it!" he cried; "God forbid it!" And suddenly this hardened man of the world, this professed cynic in an age of cynicism, sank down in a chair and buried his head in his arms on the green baize writing table, crushing the gold lace of his glittering uniform, and the immaculate shirt front, with its single diamond stud. It was only for a moment that a sudden rush of feeling overcame him. But when he looked up his face was haggard and he looked years older. "Does anyone--know of this?" he asked in a hoarse tone. Mr. Maddison shook his head. "No one whatever as yet," he said shortly. "If I am free to-morrow, I shall go to Italy."