- ing, but with a strange deference towards his companion.
The two passed where by accident, apparently, the smaller man had a view of the resting woman, without being too plainly seen himself. The larger man was speaking:
"Public opinion is settling on the paper as a forgery."
"Has it discovered a motive?" There was almost a sneer in the tone.
"No; nor for the crime; but it firmly believes that the woman never existed."
"It would think me mad or a liar then if I should affirm that she did exist; that she does exist; that in fact I could at a moment's notice put my hand on Theodore Wing's mother."
The other smiled.
"One might almost imagine you thought her in this room."
"Stranger things have happened;" and the two moved on.
If the woman had taken note of the conversation, there was nothing in her manner to indicate it. Had there been, Trafford would have felt keen disap-
