Cognitive Behavior and Human Computer

Interaction Based on Machine Learning Algorithms

Sandeep Kumar pdf download

https://ebookmass.com/product/cognitive-behavior-and-human-
computer-interaction-based-on-machine-learning-algorithms-
sandeep-kumar/

Explore and download more ebooks at ebookmass.com

 We believe these products will be a great fit for you. Click
the link to download now, or visit ebookmass.com
to discover even more!

Machine Learning for Biometrics: Concepts, Algorithms and

Applications (Cognitive Data Science in Sustainable
Computing) Partha Pratim Sarangi
https://ebookmass.com/product/machine-learning-for-biometrics-
concepts-algorithms-and-applications-cognitive-data-science-in-
sustainable-computing-partha-pratim-sarangi/

Research methods in human-computer interaction 2 ed

Edition Feng

https://ebookmass.com/product/research-methods-in-human-computer-
interaction-2-ed-edition-feng/

Introduction to algorithms for data mining and machine

learning Yang

https://ebookmass.com/product/introduction-to-algorithms-for-data-
mining-and-machine-learning-yang/

Fundamentals of Machine Learning for Predictive Data

Analytics: Algorithms,

https://ebookmass.com/product/fundamentals-of-machine-learning-for-
predictive-data-analytics-algorithms/
Machine Learning Algorithms for Signal and Image
Processing Suman Lata Tripathi

https://ebookmass.com/product/machine-learning-algorithms-for-signal-
and-image-processing-suman-lata-tripathi/

Machine Vision Inspection Systems, Machine Learning-Based

Approaches Muthukumaran Malarvel

https://ebookmass.com/product/machine-vision-inspection-systems-
machine-learning-based-approaches-muthukumaran-malarvel/

Introduction to Algorithms for Data Mining and Machine

Learning Xin-She Yang

https://ebookmass.com/product/introduction-to-algorithms-for-data-
mining-and-machine-learning-xin-she-yang/

Demystifying Big Data, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning

for Healthcare Analytics Pradeep N Sandeep Kautish Sheng-
Lung Peng
https://ebookmass.com/product/demystifying-big-data-machine-learning-
and-deep-learning-for-healthcare-analytics-pradeep-n-sandeep-kautish-
sheng-lung-peng/

Predicting Heart Failure : Invasive, Non-Invasive, Machine

Learning, and Artificial Intelligence Based Methods 1st
Edition Kishor Kumar Sadasivuni
https://ebookmass.com/product/predicting-heart-failure-invasive-non-
invasive-machine-learning-and-artificial-intelligence-based-
methods-1st-edition-kishor-kumar-sadasivuni/
Table of Contents
Cover
Title page
Copyright
Preface
1 Cognitive Behavior: Different Human-Computer Interaction
Types
1.1 Introduction: Cognitive Models and Human-Computer
User Interface Management Systems
1.2 Cognitive Modeling: Decision Processing User
Interacting Device System (DPUIDS)
1.3 Cognitive Modeling: Decision Support User Interactive
Device Systems (DSUIDS)
1.4 Cognitive Modeling: Management Information User
Interactive Device System (MIUIDS)
1.5 Cognitive Modeling: Environment Role With User
Interactive Device Systems
1.6 Conclusion and Scope
References
2 Classification of HCI and Issues and Challenges in Smart
Home HCI Implementation
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Literature Review of Human-Computer Interfaces
2.3 Programming: Convenience and Gadget Explicit
Substance
2.4 Equipment: BCI and Proxemic Associations
2.5 CHI for Current Smart Homes
2.6 Four Approaches to Improve HCI and UX
2.7 Conclusion and Discussion
References
3 Teaching-Learning Process and Brain-Computer Interaction
Using ICT Tools
3.1 The Concept of Teaching
3.2 The Concept of Learning
3.3 The Concept of Teaching-Learning Process
3.4 Use of ICT Tools in Teaching-Learning Process
3.5 Conclusion
References
4 Denoising of Digital Images Using Wavelet-Based
Thresholding Techniques: A Comparison
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Literature Survey
4.3 Theoretical Analysis
4.4 Methodology
4.5 Results and Discussion
4.6 Conclusions
References
5 Smart Virtual Reality–Based Gaze-Perceptive Common
Communication System for Children With Autism Spectrum
Disorder
5.1 Need for Focus on Advancement of ASD Intervention
Systems
5.2 Computer and Virtual Reality–Based Intervention
Systems
5.3 Why Eye Physiology and Viewing Pattern Pose
Advantage for Affect Recognition of Children With ASD
5.4 Potential Advantages of Applying the Proposed Adaptive
Response Technology to Autism Intervention
5.5 Issue
5.6 Global Status
5.7 VR and Adaptive Skills
5.8 VR for Empowering Play Skills
 5.9 VR for Encouraging Social Skills
5.10 Public Status
5.11 Importance
5.12 Achievability of VR-Based Social Interaction to Cause
Variation in Viewing Pattern of Youngsters With ASD
5.13 Achievability of VR-Based Social Interaction to Cause
Variety in Eye Physiological Indices for Kids With ASD
5.14 Possibility of VR-Based Social Interaction to Cause
Variations in the Anxiety Level for Youngsters With ASD
References
6 Construction and Reconstruction of 3D Facial and Wireframe
Model Using Syntactic Pattern Recognition
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Literature Survey
6.3 Proposed Methodology
6.4 Datasets and Experiment Setup
6.5 Results
6.6 Conclusion
References
7 Attack Detection Using Deep Learning–Based Multimodal
Biometric Authentication System
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Proposed Methodology
7.3 Experimental Analysis
7.4 Conclusion and Future Scope
References
8 Feature Optimized Machine Learning Framework for
Unbalanced Bioassays
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Related Work
8.3 Proposed Work
8.4 Experimental
 8.5 Result and Discussion
8.6 Conclusion
References
9 Predictive Model and Theory of Interaction
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Related Work
9.3 Predictive Analytics Process
9.4 Predictive Analytics Opportunities
9.5 Classes of Predictive Analytics Models
9.6 Predictive Analytics Techniques
9.7 Dataset Used in Our Research
9.8 Methodology
9.9 Results
9.10 Discussion
9.11 Use of Predictive Analytics
9.12 Conclusion and Future Work
References
10 Advancement in Augmented and Virtual Reality
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Proposed Methodology
10.3 Results
10.4 Conclusion
References
11 Computer Vision and Image Processing for Precision
Agriculture
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Computer Vision
11.3 Machine Learning
11.4 Computer Vision and Image Processing in Agriculture
11.5 Conclusion
References
12 A Novel Approach for Low-Quality Fingerprint Image
Enhancement Using Spatial and Frequency Domain Filtering
Techniques
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Existing Works for the Fingerprint Ehancement
12.3 Design and Implementation of the Proposed Algorithm
12.4 Results and Discussion
12.5 Conclusion and Future Scope
References
13 Elevate Primary Tumor Detection Using Machine Learning
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Related Works
13.3 Proposed Work
13.4 Experimental Investigation
13.5 Result and Discussion
13.6 Conclusion
13.7 Future Work
References
14 Comparative Sentiment Analysis Through Traditional and
Machine Learning-Based Approach
14.1 Introduction to Sentiment Analysis
14.2 Four Types of Sentiment Analyses
14.3 Working of SA System
14.4 Challenges Associated With SA System
14.5 Real-Life Applications of SA
14.6 Machine Learning Methods Used for SA
14.7 A Proposed Method
14.8 Results and Discussions
14.9 Conclusion
References
 15 Application of Artificial Intelligence and Computer Vision to
Identify Edible Bird’s Nest
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Prior Work
15.3 Auto Grading of Edible Birds Nest
15.4 Experimental Results
15.5 Conclusion
Acknowledgments
References
16 Enhancement of Satellite and Underwater Image Utilizing
Luminance Model by Color Correction Method
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Related Work
16.3 Proposed Methodology
16.4 Investigational Findings and Evaluation
16.5 Conclusion
References
Index
End User License Agreement

List of Figures
Chapter 1
Figure 1.1 Cognitive behavioral elements of broad view of
human-computer interfa...
Figure 1.2 Decision processing system user interface
device management as extern...
Figure 1.3 Cognitive modeling process in the visualization
decision processing u...
Figure 1.4 Supporting cognitive model for the interaction
of decision supportive...
 Figure 1.5 Basic elements of management information
user interactive device syst...
Figure 1.6 Model of memory, information passes through
distinct stages in order ...
Chapter 2
Figure 2.1 The utility of HCI.
Figure 2.2 The basic of HCI and related spaces.
Figure 2.3 The making of intelligent ease of use.
Figure 2.4 The connected fields of HCI and ease of use
designing.
Figure 2.5 Pictured models of smart devices, (a) Model-1
(b) Model-2 (c) Model-3...
Chapter 3
Figure 3.1 Human brain bisected in the sagittal plane.
Figure 3.2 Functional areas of the human brain.
Figure 3.3 Parts of the human ear.
Figure 3.4 Regenerative feedback system of the teaching-
learning process.
Figure 3.5 Conceptual diagram of the teaching-learning
process.
Figure 3.6 Structure of a neuron.
Figure 3.7 Block diagram of a typical neurofeedback
system.
Figure 3.8 BCI architecture.
Chapter 4
Figure 4.1 PDF of Gaussian noise.
Figure 4.2 Single-level decomposition of 2D image.
Figure 4.3 Single-level DWT decomposition.
Figure 4.4 Three-level DWT decomposition.
 Figure 4.5 Single-level composition step of four sub-
images.
Figure 4.6 Filter arrangement for the dual-tree complex
wavelet transform.
Figure 4.7 Hard thresholding scheme: (a) original signal
and (b) after hard thre...
Figure 4.8 Soft thresholding scheme: (a) original signal
and (b) after soft thre...
Figure 4.9 Neighborhood window centered at thresholded
wavelet coefficient.
Figure 4.10 2 x 2 block partition for a wavelet sub-band.
Figure 4.11 Image denoising using DTCWT-based
thresholding technique.
Figure 4.12 Flow chart for the wavelet-based thresholding
technique.
Figure 4.13 Standard gray images (512 × 512): (a) lena
image; (b) barbara image;...
Figure 4.14 (a) Noisy image (noise level = 10); (b) Denoise
image (SURE shrink);...
Figure 4.15 PSNR values obtained various thresholding
techniques.
Figure 4.16 SSIM values obtained various thresholding
techniques.
Chapter 6
Figure 6.1 Block diagram of the proposed methodology.
Figure 6.2 (a) Original image. (b) Face detection from the
right angle using Vio...
Figure 6.3 3D wireframe concerning central cell 14.
Figure 6.4 (a) 3 x 3 x 3 size of voxels array. (b) Smallest
possible three-dimen...
 Figure 6.5 Comparative analysis of proposed algorithm
with existing technique on...
Figure 6.6 Comparative analysis of error maps for 3D
detailed reconstruction. Th...
Figure 6.7 Reconstruction result of USF dataset. The
numbers under error image r...
Chapter 7
Figure 7.1 Hierarchy of biometric traits [2].
Figure 7.2 Block diagram of the proposed methodology.
Figure 7.3 Proposed framework for expert one.
Figure 7.4 Proposed framework for expert two.
Chapter 8
Figure 8.1 Machine learning framework.
Figure 8.2 Comparison of machine learning structure with
classifiers using accur...
Chapter 9
Figure 9.1 Predictive analytics process.
Figure 9.2 Decision tree.
Figure 9.3 Regression model.
Figure 9.4 Artificial Neural Network.
Figure 9.5 Bayesian statistics.
Figure 9.6 Ensemble classifier.
Figure 9.7 Gradient boosting.
Figure 9.8 Support Vector Machine.
Figure 9.9 Time series analysis.
Figure 9.10 Regression utilizing k-NN.
Figure 9.11 Principle component analysis.
Chapter 10
Visit https://ebookmass.com today to explore
a vast collection of ebooks across various
genres, available in popular formats like
PDF, EPUB, and MOBI, fully compatible with
all devices. Enjoy a seamless reading
experience and effortlessly download high-
quality materials in just a few simple steps.
Plus, don’t miss out on exciting offers that
let you access a wealth of knowledge at the
best prices!
 Figure 10.1 Virtual continuum.
Figure 10.2 Research strategies followed.
Figure 10.3 Advancement of publications.
Figure 10.4 Development of AR and VR advancements in
the cycle of hype.
Figure 10.5 Advancement of games published in STEAM.
Figure 10.6 On the top is the level of nations which made
an exploration on AR o...
Figure 10.7 Examination of papers picked step by step:
Ihe blue line is the rela...
Figure 10.8 Conveyance of developed fields.
Figure 10.9 Publications development, everything being
equal.
Figure 10.10 Publications in R&D by nations.
Figure 10.11 Data about distributions on medical care:
The upper left picture is...
Figure 10.12 Data about educational publications: in the
upper left picture is t...
Figure 10.13 Data about distributions on the industry: The
upper left picture is...
Chapter 11
Figure 11.1 Basic ANN architecture.
Figure 11.2 Vision-based vehicle navigation system.
Figure 11.3 The contadino autonomous implement carrier
can be used for seeding, ...
Figure 11.4 Swarm size agriculture robots [60].
Chapter 12
Figure 12.1 Flowchart of proposed algorithm. Workflow
diagram.
 Figure 12.2 (a) Original image (DB1 107_2.tif). (b)
Coherence filter. (c) Gabor ...
Figure 12.3 (a) Original image. (b) Proposed algorithm
using a thinning techniqu...
Chapter 13
Figure 13.1 Diagrammatical view.
Figure 13.2 (a-d) is Performance evaluation on state of art
parameters.
Chapter 14
Figure 14.1 Five tuples used to evaluate sentiment.
Figure 14.2 ttree values of sentiment.
Figure 14.3 Types of sentiments.
Figure 14.4 Architecture of SA system.
Figure 14.5 Challenges of sentiment classifier.
Figure 14.6 Real-life applications of sentiment analysis.
Figure 14.7 Framework for the proposed model.
Figure 14.8 Comparison chart of different classifiers for
different datasets.
Chapter 15
Figure 15.1 Shapes of EBN of grade AA, grade A, and
grade B. Adapted from [4].
Figure 15.2 Block diagram for feature extraction.
Figure 15.3 Histogram of intensities of saturation layer for
various grades.
Figure 15.4 Original images (top row) and the impurities
detected (bottom row) f...
Figure 15.5 Original image (top row) and HSV colour
model (bottom row) of EBNs (...
Figure 15.6 Original images (top row) and the area
detected for each image (bott...
 Chapter 16
Figure 16.1 Proposed approach block diagram.
Figure 16.2 Similarity among proposed and existing
techniques.
Figure 16.3 Entropy measured using the proposed
method.
Figure 16.4 Time measured using the proposed method.
Figure 16.5 Investigational datasets.
Figure 16.6 Comparison of outcome between proposed
and existing techniques.
Figure 16.7 The outcome appears utilizing proposed GUI
on picture (h).
Figure 16.8 Outcome appears utilizing proposed GUI on
picture (g).
Figure 16.9 Outcome appears utilizing proposed GUI on
picture (e).
Figure 16.10 Outcome appears utilizing proposed GUI on
picture (f).

List of Table
Chapter 1
Table 1.1 The core artifacts provided at the cognitive
modeling of user interact...
Table 1.2 Representational uses of cognitive modeling for
decision support user ...
Chapter 4
Table 4.1 PSNR values for grayscale images (512×512) for
different values of AWG...
Table 4.2 SSIM values for grayscale images (512×512) for
different values of AWG...
Chapter 6
Table 6.1 Study of existing methodology.
Table 6.2 Sample of possible convex polyhedrons.
Table 6.3 Comparative analysis of mean and standard
deviation of point to point ...
Chapter 7
Table 7.1 LivDet 2015 dataset details.
Table 7.2 LivDet 2015 dataset details.
Chapter 8
Table 8.1 Exhibition correlation of enhanced multilayer
perception by different ...
Chapter 9
Table 9.1 The solid ability sets as controlled by area
specialists.
Table 9.2 The after-effects of the PCA examination. All
highlights aside from Z-...
Table 9.3 The coefficients and noteworthiness estimations
of the summed up segme...
Table 9.4 The models developed from highlights in the
critical summed up parts. ...
Chapter 10
Table 10.1 Search measure synopsis.
Table 10.2 Evolution of publications houses.
Table 10.3 Outline of EU and USA publications by topics.
Chapter 11
Table 11.1 Cameras used in precision agriculture
application.
Table 11.2 Plant and fruit detection techniques.
 Table 11.3 Fruit grading and ripeness detection
approaches.
Table 11.4 Fruit counting and yield prediction.
Table 11.5 Weed and disease detection.
Chapter 12
Table 12.1 Texture descriptor results for FVC2004DB1
107_2.tif.
Table 12.2 Texture descriptor results for FVC2004DB2
101_2.tif.
Table 12.3 Texture descriptor results for FVC2004DB3
107_7.tif.
Table 12.4 Texture descriptor results for FVC2004DB4
110_8.tif.
Table 12.5 Minutiae ratio results for the thinning
technique.
Table 12.6 Minutiae ratio results for mindset technique.
Table 12.7 Minutiae ratios obtained for the proposed
algorithm using the thinnin...
Table 12.8 Minutiae ratios obtained for the proposed
algorithm using the mindset...
Chapter 13
Table 13.1 Comparison of performance of applied
classifiers using certain specif...
Table 13.2 Analytical estimation of selected attributes.
Chapter 14
Table 14.1 Dataset statistics.
Table 14.2 Performance comparison of different classifiers
for the IMDB dataset ...
Table 14.3 Performance comparison of different classifiers
for Amazon product re...
 Table 14.4 Performance comparison of different classifiers
for news headlines da...
Table 14.5 Performance comparison of different classifiers
for online blogs data...
Table 14.6 Performance comparison of different classifiers
for Wikipedia dataset...
Table 14.7 Accuracy comparison of different classifiers for
different datasets.
Chapter 15
Table 15.1 Features extracted for various grades.
Table 15.2 Classification accuracies for various radii of
subtractive clustering...
Table 15.3 Accuracies for FCM with different clusters.
Table 15.4 Sensitivity of the neural net with different
number of hidden neurons...
Table 15.5 Auto-grading accuracies (%).
Table 15.6 Maximum and minimum classification
accuracies (%).
Table 15.7 Best classification accuracies.
Chapter 16
Table 16.1 Comparative analysis of submerged images.
Table 16.2 Proposed method time and entropy measured
value.
Scrivener Publishing
100 Cummings Center, Suite 541J
Beverly, MA 01915-6106
Publishers at Scrivener
Martin Scrivener ([email protected])
Phillip Carmical ([email protected])
Cognitive Behavior and Human
Computer Interaction Based on
Machine Learning Algorithm
Edited by

Sandeep Kumar

Rohit Raja

Shrikant Tiwari

Shilpa Rani
This edition first published 2022 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street,
Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA and Scrivener Publishing LLC, 100 Cummings Center,
Suite 541J, Beverly, MA 01915, USA
© 2022 Scrivener Publishing LLC
For more information about Scrivener publications please visit
www.scrivenerpublishing.com.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, except as permitted by law.
Advice on how to obtain permission to reuse material from this title is available at
http://www.wiley.com/go/permissions.
Wiley Global Headquarters
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA
For details of our global editorial offices, customer services, and more information
about Wiley products visit us at www.wiley.com.
Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty
While the publisher and authors have used their best efforts in preparing this
work, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or
completeness of the contents of this work and specifically disclaim all warranties,
including without limitation any implied warranties of merchant-ability or fitness
for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales
representatives, written sales materials, or promotional statements for this work.
The fact that an organization, website, or product is referred to in this work as a
citation and/or potential source of further information does not mean that the
publisher and authors endorse the information or services the organization,
website, or product may provide or recommendations it may make. This work is
sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering
professional services. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be
suitable for your situation. You should consult with a specialist where appropriate.
Neither the publisher nor authors shall be liable for any loss of profit or any other
commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental,
consequential, or other damages. Further, readers should be aware that websites
listed in this work may have changed or disappeared between when this work was
written and when it is read.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
ISBN 978-1-119-79160-7
Cover image: Pixabay.Com
Cover design by Russell Richardson
Set in size of 11pt and Minion Pro by Manila Typesetting Company, Makati,
Philippines
Printed in the USA
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Visit https://ebookmass.com today to explore
a vast collection of ebooks across various
genres, available in popular formats like
PDF, EPUB, and MOBI, fully compatible with
all devices. Enjoy a seamless reading
experience and effortlessly download high-
quality materials in just a few simple steps.
Plus, don’t miss out on exciting offers that
let you access a wealth of knowledge at the
best prices!
Exploring the Variety of Random
Documents with Different Content
own flesh and blood. Willingly, then, did he accede to Dyson's
written request for a ten-days' holiday on the plea of ill-health, which
he found on his desk one morning shortly after his and Philip
Winslade's interview with Mr. Dunning. For the time being he felt
absolved from coming to a decision of any kind, and he breathed
more freely in consequence.

Fanny Sudlow was another inmate of Loudwater House whose mind

was beset by doubts which refused either to allow themselves to be
treated as if they were of no consequence, or to furnish any ground
from which they might be developed into certainties. It was Phil's
last briefly-worded epistle which had served to upset Fanny's
equanimity. The strange discrepancy between Evan Wildash, as
described by those who had known him, and the same person as
described in Mrs. Melray's statement, was one which it baffled her to
reconcile, even as it had baffled her lover. When she looked at Denia
and asked herself whether it were possible that the foul demon of
deceit could find lodgment in so fair a frame, she could but shake
her head and tell herself that such a thing was very hard to believe.
And yet there was Phil's letter! In her own despite, Fanny began to
feel something of that sentiment of vague distrust which the elder
Mrs. Melray avowed that her daughter-in-law had inspired her with
from the first.

Meanwhile Denia's smiles, as the spring days lengthened, began to

come and go more frequently, and there were times when some
quaint remark on Fanny's part would elicit a little burst of rippling
laughter and a gay rejoinder. The cloud which had for so many
months overshadowed her young life was beginning to melt and
disappear. Soon the past, with all that it held of pleasure or of pain,
would for her have become nothing more than a faint memory
which, as time went on, would intrude itself less and less often upon
her. Hers was one of those natures which no calamity can crush for
long. Her heart was like one of those quiet tarns, deep-buried
among the hills, high above which the tempests rave while they lie
softly darkling below. She was happy as the birds are happy,
because it was not in her to be otherwise: that, at least, was how
Fanny Sudlow summed her up in her own thoughts.

But Denia's talk, however wide it might range, or however

apparently careless it might be, was always strictly impersonal.
Herself and her concerns were kept studiously in the background,
and Fanny's hand was not the one to try to drag them to the front.
One afternoon, however, either of set purpose or because for a
moment her usual caution had deserted her, Denia said to Miss
Sudlow: "Don't these sunny, sweet-breathing spring days, when
everything seems bursting with life, often make you long to have
wings that you might fly away somewhere--anywhere? They do me.
Oh! I am not going to bury myself in this place for ever, let who will
think it. I have ideas--intentions. As soon as my husband's affairs
have been wound up and I know for certain what my portion of the
estate will amount to, I shall leave here and for ever. I have friends
in London, and to them I shall go first of all. Afterwards---- But that
is no matter."

It was a hot close evening in mid May. There had scarcely been a
breath of air all day and the night had brought no coolness. Fanny
Sudlow sat in the dark at the open casement of her bedroom
window, her hair unbound and a handkerchief soaked in vinegar laid
across her forehead. She was suffering from one of those distressing
headaches to which she had been more or less liable all her life. She
heard the clock of St. Mary's strike eleven, and still she sat on,
knowing of old that it was useless for her to go to bed till the pain
should in some measure have abated. Her window looked into a
corner of the old garden, in which, just then, the moon shone silvery
bright. She had not been out of doors all day; her room felt so
stifling and the garden looked so cool and inviting, that a strong
desire came over her to get away from the close atmosphere of the
house and pace its silent walks awhile in search of that nepenthe
she was unable to find indoors. It was a desire which she let have its
way.
Having tied back her hair, she flung a dark travelling cloak around
her, the hood of which she could draw over her head were she so
minded. Then she quitted her room and went lightly downstairs.
Early hours were the rule at Loudwater House, and everybody had
retired long ago. There were two exits from the house into the
garden, one through the conservatory, the other by means of a glass
door at the end of a side corridor. Fanny chose the latter. Having,
with as little noise as possible, unlocked the door, she opened it and
stepped out into the still moonlit night.

Making her way into the farther walks, she began to pace them
slowly to and fro. Not a light shone anywhere in such windows of
the house as were visible from the garden. The quietude was
intense, but presently the silence was broken by the chiming of the
quarter before twelve. The moonlight seemed to listen, and as the
sound died away a low sigh breathed over the garden, and therewith
half-opened leaves and bursting buds began to stir and whisper.
They had awoke to the first kisses of the soft cool airs which had
come as the avant-couriers of midnight.

Suddenly Fanny became as rigid as a statue. Her quick ears had

caught a faint sound, as it might be of the crunching of gravel
beneath someone's footsteps. Scarcely breathing, she listened. Yes,
there it was again, nearer than before. Evidently someone was
approaching in the direction where she was. Her first impulse was to
hide herself. In a little trepidation she glanced around. Ah! there,
close by her, was the well-house, as it was called. It was the one
sheltered spot in the garden. A few swift noiseless strides and her
form was lost among its shadows.

The old well was said to be coeval with the building of Loudwater
House, to the inmates of which it had been the sole source of water
supply for several generations. Of late years, however, that is to say,
since the establishment of the Merehampton waterworks, it had
fallen into the desuetude and neglect which become the portion of
all things which outlast their uses. Nowadays its water was used for
two purposes only. One was to supply the dowager Mrs. Melray's
tea-kettle (there was no water anywhere, in that lady's opinion,
equal to that of the old well for expressing the hidden virtues of
Souchong or Bohea). The other purpose to which it was put was the
irrigation of the garden. The well itself was covered in by a conical
overhanging red-tiled roof, supported by thick oaken beams, with
other beams inside, forming, with the windlass-rope and bucket, the
needful apparatus for bringing the water to the surface. Even on a
moonlight night like the present it was a home of dense shadow.

Fanny drew the hood of her cloak about her and waited in mute
expectancy, her eyes fixed on the point whence the sound had
come. Nearer came the footsteps--only in the intense midnight
quietude could they have been heard--and presently round a curve
of the path advanced a female figure, also, like Fanny, darkly
cloaked; but, for all that, one glance was enough to reveal to the
latter the identity of the new-comer. It was impossible to mistake
either figure or gait for those of anyone save Denia Melray.

Fanny, with an arm flung round one of the beams that supported the
windlass and with her other hand pressed to her bosom, watched
the lithe, graceful figure pass her hiding-place and disappear round a
curve of the walk a little further on. Three or four seconds later
came the sound of a low whistle, which was immediately responded
to by another whistle. Then, as in a flash, Fanny recalled to mind
that, among other knick-knacks suspended from a chatelaine which
the young widow occasionally wore, was a tiny silver dog-whistle,
which had struck her as being a somewhat incongruous ornament
for a person to carry who acknowledged to never having owned a
dog in her life. Now, in the direction which Denia had taken was the
one door by which admittance could be had to the garden from the
outside; consequently, when a peculiar grating sound presently
made itself heard, Fanny at once came to the conclusion that Mrs.
Melray was at that moment withdrawing the bolts of the door in
question. Who was her midnight visitor? Fanny's heart beat painfully.
On the threshold of what mystery had she unwittingly found herself?
Evidently a change of weather was impending. By this time a fine
gauzy mist had overspread the upper reaches of the sky, through
which the moon shone with a chastened lustre. The evergreens
babbled softly to each other of the rain that was soon to come.
Presently a sound of voices reached the ears of the waiting girl,
those of a man and a woman talking together in low tones, and
then, half a minute later, the speakers came round a turn of the path
and so towards the well- house, he with an arm round her waist and
with his other hand holding one of hers pressed close to his breast.
Then, while the two were still some distance away, something in the
man's walk, or figure, or his way of carrying himself, revealed his
identity. "It is Richard Dyson!" exclaimed Fanny to herself, with a
thrill that set every nerve tingling. "Oh, blind, blind that I have
been!"

Phil had written her a brief account of what had passed at the
interviews with Messrs. Noyes and Dunning, and she was aware that
Dyson had been accorded a holiday on the plea of ill-health, Mr.
Melray having mentioned the fact in her hearing in reply to his
mother's question, "How is it that I have seen nothing of Richard for
the last few days?" In all probability Dyson had only just returned,
and his first thought, his first object had been to---- But when
Fanny's thoughts had travelled thus far they veered suddenly round
to his companion. "Oh, it is dreadful--dreadful!" she murmured
under her breath. "Who would have thought it of her?--Who would
have believed it possible?"

Meanwhile the two were slowly drawing nearer, talking earnestly

together. The first words which reached Fanny distinctly were spoken
by Denia.

"You are sure your holiday has done you good, and that you have
come back better than you went?" she was saying.

"On that point I have no doubt whatever," was Dyson's low-voiced

reply. "Only, darling, had you been with me I should have enjoyed
my holiday infinitely more. But the day will come, and that before
long, when you will be mine and I shall be yours, and no one in the
wide world will have the right to come between us."

With that he bent his head and, unreproved, pressed his lips to hers.

At that moment they were exactly opposite the well-house. Slowly

they kept on to a point about a score yards beyond it, then they
turned and as slowly retraced their steps. It struck Fanny that the
reason why they kept to that particular walk might be because it was
less overlooked from the windows of Loudwater House than any
other part of the grounds. Ought she to stay and overhear more of
what they might have to say to each other? Ought she not, rather, to
try and get away unseen and unheard? What right had she to be
there, hiding and listening? On the other hand, she could not forget
that a certain dark mystery still remained unfathomed, and in
consideration of the strange and undreamed-of way in which events
were shaping themselves, she could not help saying to herself,
"What if by staying here and listening I should chance to overhear
something which would----" She was about to add, "bring to light
the long-sought-for clue?" But her thought became dumb midway.
No, whatever Denia might be, whatever she might have been guilty
of otherwise, she, Fanny, could not and would not believe that she
had had any hand in the bringing about of her husband's death. It
was a hateful thing to be an eavesdropper, and as soon as they had
passed her--they were close to the well-house again by this time--
she would steal away through the shrubbery at the back.

Suddenly, with a quick movement, Denia disengaged herself from

Dyson's encircling arm. "Ah!" she exclaimed, drawing a deep breath,
as she turned and confronted him, "for the moment I had forgotten.
Answer me this, and truthfully, as the breath is in your body: Did
you, or did you not, just before you went away, on two occasions,
take Annabel Glyn for a walk along the Solchester Road?"
There was a perceptible pause before Dyson replied. Then with a
laugh which to Fanny in her hiding-place sounded wholly forced and
artificial, he said: "Why, my darling, what rubbishing nonsense is this
you have got into that pretty head of yours? I take Annabel Glyn for
a walk? The idea is preposterous."

"Your answer is no answer. Did you, or did you not, take her?"

"I did not."

"That you will swear?"

"That I swear."

"Very well. I will take your word for the truth of what you tell me. It
was the dusk of evening and my informant must have mistaken
someone else for you. Only, I want you to understand, Dick, that if I
know how to love, I know how to hate just as fervently. It is as easy
to me to do one as the other. Therefore, cher ami, woe be to you if
you deceive me. Don't forget--never for one moment forget, that
your secret is my property--that I hold your life in the hollow of my
hand!"

For a moment or two longer her emotion seemed almost to choke

her; then suddenly turning, she placed her hand within his arm.
"Come," she said, and her voice was again as soft as that of a
cooing dove, just one turn more and then you must positively go.
"Who can say what prying eyes may not be secretly watching us?"

With that they passed out of earshot, and the same instant Fanny
turned and sped softly away through the shrubbery at the back of
the well-house. As she passed the conservatory she saw that the
door was ajar, but she did not pause till she reached her own room.
Then she stood with her hands pressed to her head, amazed--
confounded--not so much by her own blindness as by the revelation
of Denia's unparalleled cunning and duplicity. It almost took her
breath away to think of it. How she had hoodwinked them all!--she,
with her doll's eyes and candid-seeming brow, and her smile that
was almost infantine in its sweetness. What puppets they had been
in her fingers--Mr. Melray, Phil, and herself!

And she loved Richard Dyson! On that point, after what she, Fanny,
had been witness to, there could be no possible doubt; and yet all
along Denia had made believe that Dyson's presence was utterly
repugnant to her. But over and above their love for each other was
there not some dark secret between the two--some bond the nature
of which was known to themselves alone? "Your secret is my
property. I hold your life in the hollow of my hand." Those had been
Denia's words, and they had been meant as a warning to Dyson.
What hidden meaning lay at the back of them? Could it, after all, be
possible that Denia----? "No--no--even now I will not believe it!"
cried Fanny when her thoughts had carried her thus far.
 CHAPTER XIX.

AN UNAVOIDABLE NECESSITY.

Little sleep had Fanny Sudlow that night. In the morning she arose
weary and unrefreshed, but by that time she saw her duty clearly
before her. How distasteful soever it might be to her to do so, it was
evident that she must acquaint Mr. Melray with what she had seen
and heard overnight in the garden. This was no commonplace
instance of a pair of secret lovers, of two people meeting stealthily
at midnight. With the knowledge strong upon her of what had
happened under that roof one fatal September night and of all that
had since occurred, no other course seemed open to her. It was a
necessity from which she shrank with the most heartfelt repugnance,
but she was powerless to help herself. Her first impulse had been to
telegraph to Phil and ask him to meet her at Merehampton station.
She would have given much, very much, to be able to confide her
secret to him and so shift to his broad shoulders the responsibility of
deciding what ought to be done next. But she called to mind the fact
that Phil was on the Continent, having been sent there, in the
interests of the Pharos, to work up a certain subject which was just
then attracting a good deal of public attention, and that the date of
his return was uncertain. It was very unfortunate, but in nowise
could it be helped.

She was almost glad, when she went downstairs, to find that Mr.
Melray had left home for the day on business and would not be back
till a late hour. A respite, however brief, was welcome.
It was something of an ordeal for her to be compelled to meet Denia
at meal times, and yet, neither by tone, nor look, nor manner, allow
anything to escape her which would tend to arouse the suspicions of
that sharp-witted young woman. Fortunately the day was a wet one.
There was no possibility of going out, consequently no opportunity
was afforded Denia for a private gossip with Miss Sudlow. The latter
kept close to the school-room, and, except at table, the two saw
nothing of each other. The dowager Mrs. Melray, being unaware of
Richard Dyson's return, made no inquiry about him; and so the day
wore itself uneventfully away. There was no slightest sign to give
warning of the storm that was so soon to break.

It was close upon eleven o'clock when Robert Melray reached home.
He would have been annoyed had he found anyone waiting up for
him except the one man-servant who was kept at Loudwater House.
His supper had been laid for him in the dining-room. "You can fasten
up, Johnson, and get to bed as soon as you like," he said to the man
as he took off his overcoat in the hall. "I shall not want you any
more to-night."

Robert Melray had finished his supper and was glancing somewhat
sleepily over the Times, when a low knock at the door startled him
into wakefulness. His surprise was not lessened when, in response to
his "Come in," the door opened and he saw that his untimely visitor
was none other than Miss Sudlow.

Of Fanny's apologies for her intrusion, and of the narrative she

presently proceeded to unfold to her wondering listener, it is not
requisite that we should speak in detail. What she had to tell is
already known to the reader.

"It is an odious duty, Mr. Melray, that I have taken upon myself," she
said in conclusion, with a little break in her voice, "but I felt that no
other course was open to me."
"None whatever, Miss Sudlow. You have done your duty, and I
honour you for it; indeed, I may add that I am infinitely obliged to
you."

That he was terribly pained and distressed by what had just been
told him was plainly evident. Sick at heart, Fanny left him. Just then
she devoutly wished that she had never set foot across the threshold
of Loudwater House.

Mention has been made of a certain Miss Annabel Glyn. Till within
six months of the date at which we have now arrived the young
woman in question had been a milliner's assistant in one of the
Merehampton shops. Then, by the death of an uncle in Australia,
she had come in for a fortune of eight thousand pounds, whereupon
she had at once thrown up her situation, and, till she could decide
upon her future plans, had gone to lodge with the widow of a
Captain Malcolm in the most fashionable part of Merehampton. Miss
Glyn being of age and both her parents being dead, she was at
liberty to bestow her hand and fortune on whomsoever she pleased.

Denia's information with regard to Dyson and Miss Glyn having been
seen walking out together had reached her through a very simple
channel. It so fell out that Charlotte Wallis (she who had been the
first to find Mr. Melray's body and give the alarm), whose duties
were partly those of own maid to young Mrs. Melray, had a brother
who was a member of the very limited police force of Merehampton.
It was through information furnished by him to his sister and passed
on by the latter to her mistress, that Denia had based the
interrogatory she put to Dyson in the garden. Still, she was willing to
believe that Charlotte's brother might have been mistaken, more
especially after Dyson's emphatic denial that he had ever been out
walking with Annabel Glyn.
 CHAPTER XX.

"WE MUST SPEAK BY THE CARD."

It was Thursday morning, the morning of the day following that of

Mr. Melray's journey to London. Denia, Freddy, and Miss Sudlow
breakfasted by themselves, Mr. Melray having requested that his tea
and toast might be taken upstairs to his dressing-room. Denia had
just left the table and was on her way back to her own room, when
she was accosted by Charlotte. "If you please, ma'am," said the girl,
"I have had a note this morning from my brother. I don't know
whether you would care to read it, but in case you should I have left
it on your dressing-table."

Be it noted that Charlotte was the only person, or so Denia believed,

who had any knowledge or suspicion of the relations between Dyson
and her mistress.

Denia nodded and passed on. Shutting the door of the room behind
her, she went quickly up to the table and pounced on the note. She
felt quite sure that Charlotte would not have left it for her to read
had there not been something in it which nearly concerned her.

Here is what she read:

Dear Lotty,--This comes to inform you that on Tuesday evening,

between nine and ten o'clock, I see Mr. R. D. and Miss G. a-walking
out together. They passed close under a lamp by which, I was
standing, so that I could not be mistaken about either one or the
other. Still, to make quite sure, I thought I would follow them. I did
so, and I see them part at Mrs. Malcolm's door. He kissed her, and
then she rang the bell. Then he strolled back to his lodgings in
Peelgate, I strolling after him; and that is all I know.

"Your loving brother,

"Edgar Wallis."

(It was at midnight on Tuesday that Dyson had kissed Denia in the
garden.)

Ten minutes later Denia received a message to the effect that Mr.
Melray would feel obliged if she would step downstairs to his office.
"Something about money matters, I suppose," she said wearily to
herself. She went at once, presaging nothing, fearing nothing. She
was as one half dazed, who, having been struck down from behind,
as yet can hardly realise what has happened to him. Although she
was unaware of it, the note which had been to her as a message of
doom was still clutched tightly between her fingers as she entered
the room. Robert Melray was at once struck by the pallor of her face,
and by a certain hard, cold glitter in her eyes such as he had never
noticed in them before.

"Sit down, Dania; I have something of particular moment to say to

you," he began, in no unkindly tones, indicating a chair at the table
opposite his own. Then, opening the door of the outer office, he
said: "Mr. Cray, will you be good enough to see that I am not
disturbed by anybody till I ring." Then he turned the key of the door
which opened into the side lane, after which he sat down facing
Denia. It was evident to that clear-sighted young woman, even
through her own perturbation, that he was extremely nervous and ill
at ease.
With his elbows resting on the table and his fingers interlocked, he
gazed at her for a few seconds with a sort of sad, wistful
earnestness. Then clearing his voice he said: "I am a poor hand at a
preface, or at leading up by degrees to anything I may have to say.
In short, I cannot beat about the bush." For a moment he paused,
and again he cleared his voice. "Denia, it has come to my knowledge
that you and Richard Dyson were together in the garden at midnight
on Tuesday. It was your hand that admitted him by way of the side-
door."

He ceased, as though to afford her time to recover herself. The

pallor of her face gave way to a great wave of colour which surged
quickly up from her bosom to her cheeks and thence to the roots of
her hair. For a few moments it remained thus, at high-water mark as
it were, and then began to subside.

"His arm was round you," continued Robert, "he kissed you and you
did not repulse him Only one inference can be drawn--that he and
you are in love with each other."

Denia's bosom rose with the slow indrawing of her breath. It was
one of those supreme moments when, brought to bay, one's whole
future course in life may depend on the next few sentences that fall
from one's lips.

"I believed that Richard Dyson loved me, but now I know that I was
mistaken," said Denia in a low voice. "I loved him (or, perhaps, I
only dreamt I did), but now--I hate him!"

"You hate him!" exclaimed Robert. "And yet, less than thirty-six
hours ago, you allowed him unreproved to press his lips to yours."

"A great deal may happen in thirty-six hours. I loved him then. I
hate him now."

"So be it. Whatever reasons may have influenced you in this sudden
change of feeling are no concern of mine. What, however, does
seem to concern me (and you yourself can best infer why), and what
I must ask you to afford me some explanation of, is a certain threat
which you made use of to Dyson on Tuesday night. You bade him
beware in that his secret was your property, that you 'held his life in
the hollow of your hand.' Now, will you be good enough to tell me to
what those words referred?"

Denia's hesitation was of the briefest. For a moment or two she set
her teeth hard, then with a little nod of her head she said: "Yes, Mr.
Melray, I will tell you--will tell you everything. From this moment
there shall be no more secrets between you and me. I used those
words to Richard Dyson because to his hand was due the death of
my husband and your brother!"

Robert Melray sank back in his chair with a gasp. "You have known
this all along, and yet you have kept it hidden from everyone in your
own breast!" he contrived to say after a time.

"I have known it all along, and yet I have kept it hidden from
everyone," came like an echo from Denia's lips.

Robert knew not what to say. Never had he been so utterly at a loss
for words. There was a space of silence while the two sat
confronting each other. Denia was the first to break it.

"You stare at me, Mr. Melray, as if I were some monster of

wickedness," she said with a bitter smile. "Perhaps, before you open
your lips to reproach me or to give utterance to words such as, later
on, you might see reason to regret, it may be as well that you
should be enlightened about certain matters as to which at present
you are wholly ignorant. If you will condescend to listen to me, I will
promise to be as little tedious as possible, and that, on this occasion
at least, you shall hear from me the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth!"

"Go on," said Robert in a voice that was hardly raised above a
whisper.
But Denia did not at once respond to the invitation. It was neither
shyness nor hesitation that held her back; the former, indeed, was a
quality of which she knew nothing; she was merely considering in
what terms it behoved her to couch her version of what could no
longer be kept back.

"It was my husband who, soon after our marriage introduced

Richard Dyson to me," at length she began, her blue eyes fixed
calmly on Robert Melray's face. Before long he began to spend three
or four evenings a week in the drawing-room, and by the time I had
been half a year married it was evident to me that (not to mince my
words) he had either fallen in love with me or was wishful of making
me believe that he had done so. He was young and handsome and
had a certain fascinating way with him; he played and sang
charmingly, or so it seemed to me. I liked and respected my
husband--no one could help doing that--and I strove to do my duty
by him as a true wife should do; but I did not love him. Love is a
very different sentiment from that which I experienced for James
Melray. Is it, then, greatly to be wondered at if, at times, my heart
could not help fluttering a little under the ardent glances of Richard
Dyson? But, for all that, when, one day, he ventured to whisper
certain words in my ear such as he had no right to whisper in the
ear of any married woman, I was not slow in giving him to
understand what an egregious piece of folly he had been guilty of.
So strongly, indeed, did I resent the liberty he had taken that he
never ventured to err in the same way again. And so matters went
on as before. I continued to do my duty by my husband and
guarded my feelings to the best of my ability; but, having promised
that this shall be a full and frank confession, let me at once admit
that deep down in my heart a germ of love lay perdu, and that it
was only my strong sense of wifely obligation and the remembrance
of all I owed my husband, which kept it there, frozen and half torpid,
like a bulb buried deep under the snow.

"Such was the state of affairs on Friday, the 18th of September.

Richard had gone for his annual holiday about ten days before.
Sometimes I felt sad and lonely without him, missing his bright,
vivacious talk and those half-veiled glances the meaning of which
could be read by me alone; at other times I wished most devoutly
that I might never set eyes on him again.

"At eight o'clock that evening I saw my husband off on his way to
Mr. Arbour's for his usual rubber of whist. After that I sat down with
the intention of writing a long letter to my friend, Mrs. Simpson. I
was alone in the little sitting-room at the back of the drawing-room.
The servants were all below stairs. Your mother had gone to her
own room at the further end of the long corridor, and Miss Armishaw
with her. I had got about half-way through my letter when a slight
noise caused me to turn my head, and there in the open door-way I
beheld Richard Dyson! Next instant he came forward and fell on his
knees at my feet. His dress was disordered, his face was as white as
that of corpse, while his eyes were charged with horror and fear, the
like of which I have never seen in those of anyone else. 'Save me!
Save me!' were the first words he gave utterance to.

"I have no wish to weary you, and will relate, as succinctly as

possible, the story told me by Richard on that memorable night.

"Lack of funds had brought him back from his holidays two or three
days before he was due at business. He had been compelled to
leave his luggage in pawn at the seaside hotel where he had been
staying. Not wishing it to be known, for private reasons of his own,
that he had come back before his time, he had alighted from the
train at a station a couple of miles away, and was making his way
through some of the back streets to his lodgings, when he came
face to face with Mr. Melray. The recognition was mutual. It would
seem that Richard had been guilty of something at which my
husband had just cause to be offended, but of what nature the
something in question was even now I have no knowledge. In any
case, Mr. Melray insisted on Richard there and then accompanying
him back to his office. Once there, they appear to have got to high
words, one thing leading to another, till at length Mr. Melray
threatened Richard with some kind of public exposure. There was a
struggle for the possession of some papers, and in the result my
husband unhappily came by his death. On his knees Richard swore
to me by everything he held sacred that it was purely an accident.
Well, I believed him. Some people might say that, instead of putting
credence in what he told me, I ought there and then to have
denounced him as a murderer; but to me it seemed too terrible a
thing to credit that he could wilfully have been guilty of such a
crime. But, be that as it may, when he appealed to me to save him I
felt it impossible to reject his appeal. From Friday night till an early
hour on Monday he lay hidden in the lumber-room on the top floor,
which is rarely entered from one year's end to another, I supplying
him with food meanwhile. On Monday morning he made his
appearance at his lodgings, and, later on, at the office, no one
suspecting otherwise than that he had just got back from his
holidays."

Robert Melray had not interrupted her by a word. He sat for a space
after she had done with drawn brows and introverted eyes which
saw nothing of what was before them. At length he roused himself
with a deep sigh. "That your narrative throws a wholly unexpected
light on a mystery which has long perplexed both me and others
cannot be denied, he said, and I am obliged to you for the frankness
which has at length prompted the telling of it. Still, I altogether fail
to reconcile what you have just told me with the details of certain
circumstances as set down in your written statement of a fortnight
ago."

A short derisive laugh broke from Denia. "My good sir," she said,
"seeing that I have just told you the true history of the events of the
18th of September as far as they concern me individually, but one
inference can be drawn by you with regard to my so-called
statement, namely, that from beginning to end. it was a simple
tissue of romance."
Mr. Melray stared at her in wide-eyed amazement. "But surely," he
gasped, "you don't mean to say that all which was there stated with
reference to Evan Wildash and yourself was----"

"A sheer piece of rigmarole--that and nothing more. I found it

impossible to resist the temptation Miss Sudlow was good enough to
put in my way. Besides, I had a suspicion, which may or may not
have been baseless, that she had been brought to Loudwater House
purposely to watch me and spy upon my actions, so that when she
gave me a certain story to read, which undoubtedly seemed to
embody in rather a startling way a number of details in connection
with my husband's death, I decided to accept it as a true narrative,
and it was on that assumption that I wrote out my statement. I need
hardly add that my object in acting thus was to divert suspicion from
the real quarter, and, if it were possible thereby to do so, to bring to
an end, once and for ever, the inquiry into the causes of my
husband's death."

"It is most extraordinary!" ejaculated Robert Melray. "But do you

mean to imply that Evan Wildash never came back from Africa?"

"Never, to my knowledge. He was reported to have died there, and,

for anything known by me to the contrary the report was true."

"Then, as regards the man who was killed in the railway accident?"

"I know no more about him than about the man in the moon."

Robert Melray sat back in his chair like a man bereft of speech.

CHAPTER XXI.
 THE TRUTH AT LAST.

Some minutes later Robert Melray opened the door which led to the
outer office, and said to his head clerk, "Mr. Cray, will you be good
enough to ask Mr. Dyson to step this way?"

When Richard Dyson entered the private office he had no prevision

that he was wanted about anything more important than some
ordinary business detail. Long immunity from suspicion had bred in
him the belief that his dark secret was buried out of sight for ever.
He glanced round as he entered. He had not the remotest suspicion
that the high screen in the corner hid Denia from his view.

"Sit there," said Robert, pointing to the chair vacated by Denia a

minute before. There was something in his tone which caused Dyson
to glance keenly at him, something which warned him to be on his
guard. The two had not met since the latter's return from his leave
of absence.

"Since I saw you last to speak to," began Robert, regarding the
other with a cold steady gaze, "certain facts have come to my
knowledge which have shocked and surprised me far more than I
could express to you in any words. In order that you need be under
no misapprehension as to how much, or how little, I know of the
circumstances in question, I will at once enlighten you on the point.
Being in want of money for some purpose of which I know nothing,
you abstracted my brother's life policy from the safe, and on the
security of it obtained an advance of three hundred pounds from Mr.
Noyes of Solchester. But, in order to carry out your nefarious
purpose, you were compelled to forge James's signature to three
several documents. Of the means by which you contrived to make
Mr. Noyes believe that he was dealing with my brother in person, I
will say nothing. Whether it was your intention ultimately to redeem
the policy and put it back in the place whence you had taken it, or
whether----"

"Certainly it was my intention to redeem the policy and replace it in

the safe, without, as I hoped, anyone being the wiser," broke in
Dyson a little impetuously. He was pale, but composed.

Robert's exordium had allowed time for his nerves to recover from
any shock which the latter's opening words might have caused them.
"The three hundred pounds was only borrowed for a term of four
months, by the end of which time I had every reason to believe that
I should be in ample funds. I may add that my difficulties were the
result of some unfortunate operations on the Stock Exchange, but
latterly I had hit on a good thing and I felt no doubt whatever about
being able shortly to far more than recoup myself for all my losses."

"I will refrain from asking you how you proposed to yourself to get
out of the clutches of Mr. Noyes, and to redeem the policy in case
your expectations should come to nothing. But, in all likelihood, that
was a contingency which you never cared to face. In any case, it is a
matter of no consequence at this time of day; so, if you have no
objection, we will now come to the events of the 18th of
September."

Dyson started visibly and bit his under-lip hard, as he might have
done had he been on the point of undergoing a surgical operation.

"For reasons best known to yourself," resumed Robert in the same

quiet, passionless voice in which he had spoken before, "you arrived
back from your holiday on Friday evening, although you were not
due at business till the following Monday. While on your way to your
lodgings you came face to face with my brother, and in
consequence, doubtless, of certain representations on his part, you
accompanied him back to his office--to this very room, in point of
fact. A quarter of an hour later you surprised Mrs. Melray in her
sitting-room. In explanation of your intrusion you gave her to
understand that, through some mischance, my brother had met his
death at your hands, and you appealed to her to help to save you
from the consequences of your rash act. To that appeal she
responded by finding you, unknown to anyone, shelter and food for
three nights and two days; by which means you were enabled to
appear at the office on Monday morning as if you had but just got
back from your holiday. Now, Richard Dyson, I demand of you that
you shall account to me for my brother! I hint no threats, but it must
be plain to you on the verge of what a precipice you are standing.
Let me have the truth about what happened just as it did happen. I
ask for no more and I have a right to look for no less."

It would not be easy to describe with what a strange confluence of

emotions Dyson had listened to the growing indictment. Wonder as
whence and how Robert had gleaned his information was, perhaps,
his predominant feeling just then. Could it be possible, he asked
himself, that Denia had turned traitor and betrayed him? But such
was his faith in the sincerity of her love for him that he dismissed
the thought almost as soon as it was formed. But it was no time for
indulging in futile speculations. Robert Melray was waiting with bent
brows.

Dyson's face darkened as his thoughts concentred themselves on the

story he had to tell. "Yes," he presently began, facing Robert with
the quiet and collected air of one who has nothing to hide, "as you
have stated, I unexpectedly encountered cousin James on my way
from the railway station to my lodgings. Gripping me by the arm he
said, 'So you are back, are you? That is well. I want particularly to
speak with you. Come with me at once to my office.' Nothing more
was said, but I pretty well guessed what was in the wind. As soon as
we were inside the office, with the door shut and the gas alight, he
turned upon me. As I surmised, he had found out about the
abstraction of the policy and the advance obtained by means of it
from Noyes. I at once admitted that it was an infamous return to
have made for all that he had done for me. I explained to him, as I
have explained to you, by what means it happened that I was
Welcome to our website – the perfect destination for book lovers and
knowledge seekers. We believe that every book holds a new world,
offering opportunities for learning, discovery, and personal growth.
That’s why we are dedicated to bringing you a diverse collection of
books, ranging from classic literature and specialized publications to
self-development guides and children's books.

More than just a book-buying platform, we strive to be a bridge

connecting you with timeless cultural and intellectual values. With an
elegant, user-friendly interface and a smart search system, you can
quickly find the books that best suit your interests. Additionally,
our special promotions and home delivery services help you save time
and fully enjoy the joy of reading.

Join us on a journey of knowledge exploration, passion nurturing, and

personal growth every day!

ebookmasss.com