But I'm wondering what the connection between the Gilverthwaite and Phillips affair and this Meekin has been--if we could get at it ?" "Shall I give you my theory ?" suggested Mr.Elphinstone.

"Of course, I've read all there's been in the newspapers, and Murray told me a lot last night before we came to you, and you mentioned Mr.Ridley's discovery,--well, then, I've no doubt whatever that this young gentleman is Michael Carstairs' son, and therefore the real owner of the title and estates! And I'll tell you how I explain the whole thing.

Michael Carstairs, as I remember him--and I saw plenty of him as a lad and a young man--was what you'd call violently radical in his ideas.

He was a queer, eccentric, dour chap in some ways--kindly enough in others.

He'd a most extraordinary objection to titles, for one thing; another, he thought that, given a chance, every man ought to make himself.