"How is this possible?
What can have come to pass ?" The earl was silent for a long while.

It was as if he pondered how he should answer, or whether he should answer at all.

At last, in a low voice, a faint tinge reddening his face, his eyes averted, he explained.
It shamed him so to do, yet must he satisfy that craving of weak minds to unburden, to seek relief in confession.

"Mine is the case of Craggs, the secretary of state," he said.

"And Craggs, you'll remember, shot himself." "My God," said Mr.Caryll, and opened wide his eyes.