"A mystery that I want to solve, sir.

And I dare say that you can help me, if you'll be so good.

I am convinced--in fact, I know!--that this young lady is in ignorance of her parentage, that Ransford is keeping some fact, some truth back from her--and I want to find things out.

By the merest chance--accident, in fact--I discovered yesterday at Braden Medworth that some twenty-two years ago you married one Mary Bewery, who, I learnt there, was your governess, to a John Brake, and that Mark Ransford was John Brake's best man and a witness of the marriage.

Now, Mr.Gilwaters, the similarity in names is too striking to be devoid of significance.