You see, we are absolute strangers to all the parties concerned in this case, which, of course, makes for an impartial estimate of their characters.

But, after all, knowledge is more useful to us than impartiality.

There is our client, for instance.

He impressed us both very favourably, I think; but he might have been a plausible rascal with the blackest of records.

Then you come and tell us that he is a gentleman of stainless character and we are at once on firmer ground." "I see," said Miss Gibson thoughtfully; "and suppose that I or some one else had told you things that seemed to reflect on his character.