The moment she entered he guessed who she was, even although she was veiled. Clothed from head to foot in black, and looking tragic enough for a Muse, poor soul, for certainly she had cause, Mrs. Gilroy raised her veil and examined the keen face of the lawyer. "You did not expect to see me?" she asked, taking the seat he pointed to silently. Durham was not going to tell her that the article had been published to draw her forth, as she might have taken flight and suspected a trap. "It is a surprise," he said artfully. "And I am at a loss to understand why you have come." "To save my son," said Mrs. Gilroy, looking at him with haggard eyes. "Michael Gilroy?" "Michael Gore. He has a right to his father's name." "Pardon me, I think not. Bernard Gore is the heir." "Ah!" said the woman, bitterly, and clasping her hands with a swift, nervous gesture. "He has all the luck--the title--the money--the----" "You must admit," said Durham, politely, "that he had had very bad luck for the most part." "His own foolishness is the cause of it." "Did you come to tell me this?" Mrs. Gilroy sat quite still for a moment, and Durham noticed that even what good looks she had were gone. Her cheeks were fallen in, her eyes were sunken, her drab hair was streaked with white, and her face wore a terrible expression of despair and sorrow. "I have come to tell you all I know," she said. "I would not do so, save for two things. One is, that I wish to save my son, who is absolutely innocent; the other, that I am dying." "Dying? I hope not." "I am dying," said Mrs. Gilroy, firmly. "I have suffered for many years from an incurable disease--it doesn't matter what. But I cannot live long, and, but for my son, I should have ended my miserable life long ago, owing to the pain I suffer. Oh the pain--the pain--the pain!" she moaned, rocking to and fro as Michael had done. Durham was sincerely sorry for her, although he knew she was not a good woman. "Let me get you some brandy," he said. "No," replied Mrs. Gilroy, waving her hand. "Call in some clerk who can take down what I have to say. I will probably speak quickly, as my strength will not last long. I have come from an hospital to see you. Get a clerk who writes rapidly, and be quick." Durham called in a clerk and gave the order, then turned to his client. "Was it on account of going to the hospital that you left Gore Hall?" he asked. Mrs. Gilroy, still rocking, bowed her head. "Did you want me?" she asked. "I wanted to tell you that Michael came to Miss Berengaria's to----" "Michael. He came there. Why?" "To pass himself off as Bernard." "Ah, that was part of Beryl's scheme to get the money." "Was it part of his scheme to poison Michael?" said Durham. Mrs. Gilroy started to her feet, flushed with anger. "Did he do that, Mr. Durham?" she asked. "Did he dare to----"