read you out all the names and tell you of all my conquests." She sat down, a flutter of silk and laces, by his bed. "Do I worry you? No. Well, first, Mrs. Bryson is wondering where her husband is, so we shall say goodnight, and thank you, Mr. Bryson."
"You must not stay long with your father; he is very tired talking to me," I said, smiling.
"Oh, no." The sick man smiled, holding my hand in a long, grateful clasp. "I love to have her. Herbert will show you out. Thank you, my friend, for the comfort you have given me."
Herbert came sauntering into the room at the moment, his pipe in his mouth. "Hope you don't object to smoke," he said, with a laugh. "Hallo, Governor, how are you?—feeling fit?"
*****
The next time I entered the Barringtons' house Walter Barrington had left it for ever. But a strange, loud woman was going from room to room, evidently noting down the things.
"Did you ever hear of such a thing?" she
