place for a month. But is he? Or anywhere about?"
Madrasia looked at me; I looked at the two telegrams which were lying on the table beyond the tea-tray.
"As Mr. Murthwaite is Mr. Parslewe's solicitor," said I, "I should show him those wires. They are the best answer to his question."
"Yes!" agreed Madrasia. She snatched up the telegrams, and put them in Murthwaite's hand; we both watched him intently while he read. "There!" she said, as he folded them again. "What do you think?"
"I think that Parslewe is a very strange man!" replied Murthwaite. "I think, too, that I must have a talk to you—both—about him. Now, as the tea is there, and you are so hospitable———"
We gathered round the table, and Madrasia began to busy herself with the teapot and the cups. It was useless to attempt the talking of nothings; we were all full of the occasion of Murthwaite's visit, and he was acute enough not to keep Madrasia and myself waiting for his news.
