The length of Lord Arranmore's speech and his slow drawl had given him an opportunity to do so.

He glanced for a moment at the letter which lay upon his desk, and hated it.
"In an ordinary way, Lord Arranmore," he answered, "there could be only one possible reply to such an offer as you have made me--an immediate and prompt acceptance.

If I seem to hesitate, it is because, first--I must tell you something.

I must make something--in the nature of a confession." Lord Arranmore raised his eyebrows, but his face remained as the face of a Sphinx.

He sat still, and waited.
"On the occasion of my visit to you," Brooks continued, "you may remember the presence of a certain Mr.Lacroix?
He is the author, I believe, of several books of travel in Western Canada, and has the reputation of knowing that part of the country exceedingly well." Brooks paused, but his visitor helped him in no way.