I scarce remember him." Crispin's lips moved, but no word did he utter.

Then with a sudden gesture of despair he turned to Hogan, who stood apart, a silent witness.
"My God, Hogan," he cried.

"How shall I tell him ?" In answer to the appeal, the Irishman turned to Kenneth.
"You have been in error, sir, touching your parentage," quoth he bluntly.

"Alan Stewart, of Bailienochy, was not your father." Kenneth looked from one to the other of them.
"Sirs, is this a jest ?" he cried, reddening.

Then, remarking at length the solemnity of their countenances, he stopped short.