“Dr. Graham be hanged!” burst out Gerard, with a momentary return of his old boyish impetuosity and spirit. “I beg your pardon, uncle, but consider that this suspense is worse than almost any knowledge could be. Tell me at once what the news was that they brought you this morning.” “Well, to tell you the truth, it’s only the confirmation of fears which I myself entertained. For I must tell you, Gerard, that I have had grave doubts as to your wife’s prudence.” “Well. Go on.” “If I must speak, you must promise to listen quietly.” “I will--without a word,” said Gerard hoarsely, clutching the sides of his chair, and keeping his head bent. The viscount and his sons exchanged apprehensive looks; but they all felt that now there was nothing to be done but to go on with the story, and risk its effect upon the convalescent. “Your wife, unfortunately, has got into the society of people who are undesirable in every way. She is passing under a name which is not her own. She calls herself Madame Rocada, a title which is, I regret to say, that formerly used by a well-known woman of foreign extraction, who used to keep a gaming-house in Paris.” The viscount paused, but Gerard said nothing, and remained in the same position as before. His uncle went on:-- “It was under the name of Madame Rocada that she became known to me, in the first place, before I had the least idea she was your wife.” Then Gerard looked up at last, eager, wondering. “She was staying at a place at Epsom, a big place, called ‘The Briars,’ and receiving a great many visitors. In the evenings there was gambling carried on there--in fact it went on all night,” said Lord Clanfield. “I went there to see her, and she professed not to know all that occurred there.” “She did know it though,” put in Geoffrey. “For when there was a row one night she knew all about it, knew exactly what had happened, and then cleared out for fear of being called upon to give awkward explanations.” Gerard never said a word. He turned his head from the one speaker to the other, but forbore to interrupt by so much as an exclamation. “Both Geoff and I got rooked there,” put in Edgar. “The first time it was by a fellow named Diggs----” Then for the first time Gerard spoke. “Diggs!” exclaimed he, speaking in a hoarse, low voice. “What Diggs?” “Fellow named Durley Diggs. A Yankee and secretary to Reginald Candover, the great connoisseur.” Gerard only nodded, and the viscount went on:--