quite smart, though I should have worked it a bit different myself.
However, you did a very clever thing, and to take Doria into your
confidence afterward was up to our best traditions. Your opinion of
him needn't detain us now. There only remains to hear what you may
have to say on the subject of his pretty dame."

"My opinion of a very wonderful and brave woman remains unchanged,"
Brendon answered. "She is the victim of a hateful union and for her
the situation must get worse, I fear, before it can get better. She
is as straight as a line, Ganns; but of course she knows well enough
that her husband's a rascal.

"Needless to say I haven't dropped her a hint of the truth; but
while she is loyal in a sense and very careful, on her side, to
leave her sufferings or suspicions vague, she doesn't pretend she's
happy and she doesn't pretend that Doria is a good husband, or a
good man. She knows that I know better. She has been longing for
your return and it is a question with me now whether we shall not do
wisely to take her into our confidence. If she knew even what we
know, she would no doubt see much light herself and afford much
light for us. As to her good faith and honour, there can be no
question whatever."

"Well--so be it. I've heard you. Now you've got to hear me. We are
up against a very marvellous performance, Mark. This case has some
of the finest features--some unique even in my experience. Though,
as history repeats itself, I dare say there have been bigger
blackguards than the great unknown--though surely not many."

"Robert Redmayne?"