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woman——” He paused. “Haie, I would enjoy to know such a woman. What loyalty she inspired. An innocent girl obstructs the police in defense of her memory, a man who could not have been guilty pleads to be arrested as her murderer, doubtless from same motive.”

“Do you think Robert Fyfe took those lost bits of the photograph?” Bradshaw inquired.

Charlie shook his head. “Impossible. He had not yet arrived on scene. Alas! it is not so simple as that. It is not simple at all.” He sighed. “I fear I will be worn to human skeleton before I disentangle this web. And you”—he looked at the girl—“you alone have melted off at least seven pounds.”

“I’m so sorry,” Julie said.

“Do not fret. Always my daughters tell me I am too enormous for beauty. And beauty is, of course, my only aim.” He stood up. “Well, that is that. Jimmy, do not let this young woman escape you. She has proved herself faithful one. Also, she is most unexpert deceiver I have ever met. What a wife she will make for somebody.”

“Me, I hope,” Bradshaw grinned.

“T hope so, too.” Charlie turned to the girl. “Accept him, and all is forgiven between you and me. The seven pounds is gladly donated.”

She smiled. “That is an offer. Oh, Mr. Chan, I’m so happy that everything is settled between us. I didn’t like to deceive you—you’re so nice.”

He bowed. “Even the aged heart can leap at talk like that. You give me new courage to go on. On to what? Alas! the future lies hidden behind a veil—and I am no Tarneverro.”

He left them standing together beneath a hau tree,