But the other only gasped brokenly: "Go on; go on!" "Love lasts longer than death or crime," mused Brett.
He continued: "In eighteen months Sir Alan the fifth--all heirs had same name--returned to Beechcroft, about Christmas.

His cousin had been called away on family business, but returned for a New Year's Eve ball, given by Mrs.Eastham, a lady of some local importance.

Sir Alan and Helen Layton had followed the hounds together three times during Christmas week.

They were, of course, old friends.
"David sent from Scotland--his father's estate was situated close to Inverness--some presents to his future wife, his cousin, and others.

The gift to Sir Alan was noteworthy and fatalistic--a handsomely inlaid Japanese sword, with a small dagger inserted in a sheath near the top of the scabbard.