walking slowly, and I must have noticed if any one had been with you."

"It is you who are wrong," I retorted, almost sternly. "I was
accompanied by an elderly gentleman, who wore a great coat with fur
collar and cuffs, and we were conversing earnestly together when you
passed us."

He hesitated an instant, and seemed to consider, but there was no shade
of doubt on his face.

"Have it your own way, old boy," he said. "All I can say is, that I saw
no one but yourself, and neither did Charley Leitch, who was with me.
After parting from you we commented upon your evident abstraction, and
the sombre expression of your countenance, which we attributed to your
having only recently heard of the sudden death of your Uncle Richard.
If any old gentleman had been with you we could not possibly have
failed to notice him."

Without a single word by way of explanation or apology, I jumped from
my seat, passed out into the hall, seized my hat, and left the house.




III.


Out into the street I rushed like a madman, banging the door after me.
I knew that Johnny would follow me for an explanation, so I ran like
lightning round the next corner, and thence down to Yonge Street. Then