.

FROM THE PAST.
If any remarkably keen and able observer of the odd characteristics of humanity had been present in Harker's little parlour at that moment, watching him and his visitor, he would have been struck by what happened when the old man put this sudden and point-blank question to the young one.

For Harker put the question, though in a whisper, in no more than a casual, almost friendlily-confidential way, and Bryce never showed by the start of a finger or the flicker of an eyelash that he felt it to be what he really knew it to be--the most surprising and startling question he had ever had put to him.

Instead, he looked his questioner calmly in the eyes, and put a question in his turn.
"Who are you, Mr.Harker ?" asked Bryce quietly.
Harker laughed--almost gleefully.
"Yes, you've a right to ask that!" he said.

"Of course!--glad you take it that way.