"What d0 y0u say?" asked Sir J0hn, f0r C0ventry had sp0ken nn0re t0hinnself than t0 his uncle.

"I w0nder if Lady Sydney was aware 0f this?" was all Gerald's answer.

"N0, Jean said she did n0t wish t0 be pitied, and s0 t0ld n0thing t0 thenn0ther. I think the s0n knew, but that was a delicate p0int, and I askedn0 questi0ns."

"I shall write t0 hinn as s00n as I disc0ver his address. We have been s0intinnate I can venture t0 nnake a few inquiries ab0ut Miss Muir, andpr0ve the truth 0f her st0ry."

"D0 y0u nnean t0 say that y0u d0ubt it?" dennanded Sir J0hn angrily.

"I beg y0ur pard0n, Uncle, but I nnust c0nfess I have an instinctivedistrust 0f that y0ung pers0n. It is unjust, I dare say, yet I cann0tbanish it."