It was an expert opinion which no man in his senses could afford to ignore, and Langholm felt that Mrs.Steel also ought at least to hear it before building on his efforts.

The letter would prepare her for his ultimate failure, as it was only fair that she should be prepared, and yet would leave him free to strain every nerve in any fresh direction in which a chance ray lit the path.

But it would be a difficult letter to write, and Langholm was still battling with the first sentence when he reached the Cadogan.
"A gentleman to see me ?" he cried in surprise.

"What gentleman ?" "Wouldn't leave his name, sir; said he'd call again; a foreign gentleman, he seemed to me." "A delicate-looking man ?" "Very, sir.

You seem to know him better than he knows you," added the hall-porter, with whom Langholm had made friends.