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 people were killed and sixty-eight injured. Among the killed were the Chancellor of the Exchequer and a Judge of the High Court. Accident, says the world. A rub of the green, say the directors of the railway company. Fate, say the newspapers. Call it what you will, but at the point the perverted mind of man has now reached, who shall say what the real cause was? Perhaps a certain very distinguished Chinese thinker now in this country might be able to throw a new light on a terrible occurrence." At the look of horror in the eyes of the woman at his side, Wygram paused. "Mind you," he said, "one does not for a moment accept all the implications that such a theory may open up. Let the possibility be advanced just for what it is worth. And I think"—his voice grew very gentle—"it would have been kinder, and perhaps wiser, not to have advanced such a possibility at all."

"Your studies have made you pessimistic," said Helen, hoping this was a straw to which she might cling.

"Yes, I quite think so," Wygram agreed. "Every mind becomes subdued to that in which it works. But I do feel that human life was never exposed to so many hidden perils as to-day."

"One feels that, too," said Helen. "Indeed,"—she shivered slightly—"the truth of that somehow strikes to one's marrow."

As she spoke, she was sharply aware that the man at her side was looking at her with a grave curiosity.