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has attached itself to him on account of the woman——"

"It's her fault!" Bones interrupted at this point. "She's promoted it every way she can think of——"

"I gathered that. I gathered a great many things Jock didn't actually say. I think I know exactly the sort of woman Mrs. Hathaway is."

"She's the goddamnedest—I'm sorry, Mrs. Hamill——"

"Don't apologize. You haven't said a tenth of what I think. Now, she has informed Jock that in view of the talk that links their names, he should feel obliged to marry her. I know!" she continued hastily, as Bones seemed on the point of exploding. "I know just how it affects you. It affects me the same way. It's the most farcical thing that ever happened. But the trouble is, Jock has worked himself to the point where he actually is convinced that he should! Some misguided notion of chivalry and honor. Naturally, since he's engaged to Miss Mountford and head over heels in love with her, the prospect——"

Mrs. Hamill allowed a moment's silence to imply that the prospect was too dismaying for expression. She looked at Bones, and knew a deep little warmth. "Just sick about it!" she decided mentally. "Bless his old heart!"

She leaned toward him confidentially, and Bones leaned also, so that their tête-à-tête took on the semblance of a conspiracy. "Do you know where Jock keeps his strong-box?" she queried. "You do? Well, in that strong-box, right this minute, there's a letter written him by Bradley Hathaway giving the reasons for his suicide—which, incidentally, do not involve Jock in any remotest way. Don't you think it might help matters if we took possession of that letter?"

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