"You have, I believe, after all, been cruelly wronged, Deedes," he added in a low, harsh tone. "I sympathise with you because I myself once felt the loss of a wife deeply, and I know what feelings must be yours now that you suspect the woman you have trusted and loved to have been guilty of base treachery and espionage. She, or someone in association with her, has besmirched England's honour, and brought us to the very verge of a terrible national disaster. Providentially, this was averted; by what means we have not yet ascertained, although our diplomatic agents at the Court of the Tzar are striving day and night to ascertain; yet the fact remains that we were victimised by some daring secret agent who sacrificed everything in order to accomplish the master-stroke of espionage. I can but re-echo the thanks to Heaven uttered by my gracious Sovereign when she received the news that war had been averted; nevertheless it is my duty--nay, it is yours, Deedes, to strive on without resting, in order that this mystery may be satisfactorily unravelled." For a moment we were silent. Then in a voice that I felt painfully conscious was broken by grief and emotion, I related to him the whole of the wretched story of my marriage, my suspicions, the discovery of Ella in Kensington Gardens, how I had taxed her with flirtation and frivolity, our peace-making, and her sudden and unexpected flight. He heard me through to the end with bent head, sighing now and then sympathetically. Then he slowly asked,--"Did you ever refer to those earlier incidents, such as the death of that young man Ogle? Remember, whatever you tell me I shall regard as strictly confidential." "I seldom mentioned it, as she desired me not to do so." "When you referred to it, what was her attitude?" he inquired, in a pained tone, the furrows on his high white brow deep and clearly defined. "She declared always that he had been murdered, and vowed to detect the author of the crime." "Are you, in your own mind, convinced that there was anything really mysterious regarding her actions; or were they only everyday facts distorted by jealousy?" he asked gravely. "There is, I believe, some deep mystery regarding her past," I answered. He knit his grey, shaggy brows, and started perceptibly. "Her past!" he echoed. "Were you aware of any--er--unpleasant fact prior to marriage?" he inquired quickly. "Yes. She promised to explain everything ere long; therefore, loving her devotedly as I did, I resolved to make her my wife and await in patience her explanation."