Hersham bit his lip, and took a turn up and down the room. He appeared to be on the verge of revealing something, but checked himself when about to speak. At this stage Fanks wisely held his tongue, and resolved to let Hersham make the first remark. Evidently the young man had something on his mind, and what the something was Fanks was determined to find out; but he left the mode of revelation entirely to his host. Hersham was aware of this, and hesitated and faltered and frowned. Ultimately he resumed his seat and accepted the situation. "I have always looked upon you as a friend, Fanks," he said in a hesitating manner; "and I have every reason to believe that you wish me well." "My dear fellow," said Fanks, wondering what could be the reason of this appeal, "you are perfectly right. I would do anything to prove my friendship for you." "Then answer me candidly. Did you come here to ask me about that cross which you know is tattooed on my left arm?" "Yes," said Fanks, unhesitatingly; "I did. How did you guess my errand?" "I read the report of the inquest on the body of Fellenger, and I remarked the fact of the poisoned needle and the tattooed cross. I was informed that you had the case in hand; I knew that you had seen the mark on my arm. So when you wrote asking me to see you it was not hard for me to guess what you wanted. You see, I was right." "I congratulate you on your penetration, my dear Hersham," replied. Fanks, coolly. "At the same time, I do not see what this speech has to do with your former one about friendship." "I can explain. You asked me a question about that photograph; and to answer it in a satisfactory manner I shall be forced to tell you something about the family of the girl to whom I am engaged." "Does your explanation concern the late Sir Gregory Fellenger?" "Yes. It has a great deal to do with the late Sir Gregory." "And with Emma Calvert?" "With the woman you call Emma Calvert." "Ought I to say Lady Fellenger?" said Fanks, quickly. Hersham shrugged his shoulders. "That makes no difference to my explanation," he said, and rose to get the photograph off the mantelshelf. "You think that this is the picture of Emma Calvert?" For answer, Fanks produced the portrait he had found in Fellenger's rooms, and showed it to Hersham. "Is this the picture of Anne Colmer?" he asked. "No, that is Emma Calvert." "Then these photographs are those of two different women?" "Certainly. The one is Emma Calvert who committed suicide in Paris. The other is Anne Colmer who is alive and engaged to me." Fanks considered for a minute. "I now begin to see light," he said, in a sober tone. "Am I right in assuming that Emma is the sister of Anne?" "You are perfectly right. She is the twin-sister." "Ah! That accounts for the resemblance." "It does," replied Hersham, with a nod, "the two sisters were so exactly alike that apart you could not tell one from the other--at least, so I have been told."