I knew that Stephen Whitelaw was no friend to Mrs.Holbrook; that he had a kind of grudge against her because she had been on some one else's side--in--in something." Ellen Carley blushed as she came to this part of her story, and then went on rather hurriedly to hide her confusion.

"He didn't like her, sir, you see.

I knew this, but I didn't think it possible he could deceive me in a matter of life and death.

So I came home, hoping to find Mrs.Holbrook there before me.

But there were no signs of her, nor of her husband either, though I had fully expected to see him.