"Upon my word," he said, with quivering lips, "I am infinitely obliged to John Parver for describing me as a murderer. And what motive does he ascribe to me, or rather to Michael Dene, for the committal of the crime?" "Love for the wife," said Tait, smiling. "Eh! That is rather the rôle of Jeringham, I should say," replied Hilliston, the color coming back to lips and cheek. "I must read this novel, and if possible discover the identity of the author." "Oh, we will do that!" "Claude!" cried the lawyer, in astonishment. "I and Tait. We intend to follow out this case to the end." "It is useless! Five-and-twenty years have elapsed." "Nevertheless, I am determined to hunt down the murderer of my father," said Claude decisively. "Besides, we have two eye-witnesses to the tragedy. Yourself and Mrs. Bezel." "Ah! Mrs. Bezel! I forgot her. Certainly, I will do all in my power to help you, Claude. Your father was my dearest friend, and I shall only be too glad to avenge his fate. But if I could not do it at the moment, how can I hope to do so now--after so long a period has elapsed?" "Leave that to us, sir. Tait and I will attend to the active part of the business. All we ask you to do is to give us such information as lies in your power." "I will do that with pleasure," said Hilliston, who by this time was thoroughly master of himself. "What is it you wish to know." "We wish to know all about Mrs. Bezel. Who is she? What has she to do with the case? Why is not her name mentioned in these pages?" "For answers to these questions you had better apply to the lady herself. You have her address. Why not call on her?" "I intend to do so to-morrow." The old man rose from his seat, and took a turn up and down the room. Then he paused beside Claude, and laid a trembling hand on the young man's shoulder. "I have been a good friend to you, Claude." "You have been my second father--my real father," said Larcher gently. "I shall never forget your kindness. I would return it if I could." "Then do so, by letting sleeping dogs lie." "What do you mean by that, Mr. Hilliston?" asked the other, with a subtle change in his tone. "Abandon this case. Do not call on Mrs. Bezel. You can do no good by reopening the affair. It was a mystery years ago, it is a mystery still; it will remain a mystery till the end of time." "Not if I can help it. I am sorry to disoblige you, sir, but my mind is made up. I am determined to find out the truth." Hilliston sighed, passed his hand across his forehead, and returned to his seat, hopeless and baffled. He was sufficiently acquainted with Claude's character to know that he was not easily turned from his purpose, and that his resolution to solve the mystery would be resolutely carried out. Yet he made one more attempt to bend the young man to his will. "If you are wise you will not call on Mrs. Bezel." "Why not, sir?" "It will give you great pain."