Within a few days of your receipt of this letter, I look to have the honour of waiting upon you.

In the meanwhile, honoured sir, believe that while I am, I am your obedient servant, JOSEPH ASHBURN Across the narrow table the two men's glances met--Hogan's full of concern and pity, Crispin's charged with amazement and horror.

A little while they sat thus, then Crispin rose slowly to his feet, and with steps uncertain as a drunkard's he crossed to the window.

He pushed it open, and let the icy wind upon his face and head, unconscious of its sting.

Moments passed, during which the knight went over the last few months of his turbulent life since his first meeting at Perth with Kenneth Stewart.