I look at that, and say it's not criminal." "Then what's the origin of it ?" "I haven't the vaguest idea." "Then why don't you accept the ordinary explanation ?" Basil continued for a little to glare at the coals, and seemed collecting his thoughts in a humble and even painful way.

Then he said: "Suppose you went out into the moonlight.

Suppose you passed through silent, silvery streets and squares until you came into an open and deserted space, set with a few monuments, and you beheld one dressed as a ballet girl dancing in the argent glimmer.

And suppose you looked, and saw it was a man disguised.

And suppose you looked again, and saw it was Lord Kitchener.