Page:The time spirit; a romantic tale (IA timespiritromant00snaiiala).pdf/263

 "In the circumstances I feel it to be my duty to do what I can in an exceedingly delicate matter."

"Self-interest, sir, that's all your duty amounts to." But the Duke was now thoroughly alarmed, and he saw that recrimination was not going to help him. "Tell me," he said in a tone more conciliatory than he had yet used, "exactly on what ground you are standing?"

"In the first place, there is a very remarkable family likeness."

"And you base your allegation upon a mere conjecture of that kind!" said the Duke scornfully.

"Upon far more than that, believe me. I have very strong and direct evidence which at the present moment I prefer not to disclose."

The Duke paused at this bold statement. He turned a basilisk's eye upon his adversary, but Sir Dugald offered a mask, behind which, as his Grace well knew, lurked unlimited depth and cunning. One thing was clear: a man of this kidney was not likely to venture such a coup without having carefully weighed his resources. In any case there cannot be smoke unless there is fire. A certain amount of knowledge must be in the possession of Maclean; the question was how much, and what use was he prepared to make of it?

"Do I understand," said the Duke after a moment of deep thought, "that you have spoken of this matter to Mr. Dinneford?"

"I have not yet done so."

"Or to Miss Lawrence?"

"No—nor to Mrs. Sanderson."

The Duke's look of concentration at the mention of that name was not lost upon Sir Dugald. It had the