herself. This morning she was frightened and hysterical. She said--that
she had been talking."

"To Sir Leslie Borrowdean?"

"Yes."

Mannering showed no signs of dismay. He took the girl's thin white hand
in his, and held it almost affectionately.

"I am very glad to know this at once, dear," he said, "and you did what
was right and kind when you came to see me. But Sir Leslie Borrowdean has
no reason to make himself my enemy. On the contrary, just now he seems
particularly anxious to cultivate my friendship."

"Then why," the girl asked, "has he gone out of his way to--to--"

Mannering stopped her.

"He had a motive, of course. Borrowdean is one of those men who do
nothing without a motive. I believe that I can even guess what it is.
Don't let this thing distress you too much, Hester. I do not think that
we have anything to worry about."

"But he knows!"

"I could not imagine a man," Mannering answered, "better able to keep a
secret."

The girl sat silent for a moment.