and told him that my husband and uncle had not come back from
Foggintor and that I was anxious about them. He knew them both by
sight and my husband personally, for he had been of great use to
Michael when the moss depôt was at work. That is all I can tell
you."

Mrs. Pendean stopped and Brendon rose.

"What remains to be told I will get from Inspector Halfyard
himself," he said. "And you must let me congratulate you on your
statement. It would have been impossible to put the past situation
more clearly before me. The great point you made is that your
husband and Captain Redmayne were entirely reconciled and left you
in complete friendship when you last saw them. You can assure me of
that?"

"Most emphatically."

"Have you looked into your uncle's room since he disappeared?"

"No, it has not been touched."

"Again thank you, Mrs. Pendean. I shall see you some time to-day."

"Can you give me any sort of hope?"

"As yet I know nothing of the actual event, and must not therefore
offer you hope, or tell you not to hope."

She shook his hand and a fleeting ghost of a smile, infinitely