"The amount placed at our disposal is three hundred a year. We shall be happy to furnish you with cheque book and full authority to make use of this sum if you will favour us with a call, accompanied by the young lady, but we are not in a position to afford you any information whatever as to our client's identity.
"Trusting to have the pleasure of seeing you shortly,
"We are, yours truly,
"Hamilton & Place."
I laid the letter on the table without a word. Mabane and Arthur in turn read it. Then there was an ominous silence. I think that we all had the same thought. It was Arthur, however, who expressed it.
"What beastly rot!" he exclaimed.
I turned to Mabane.
"I imagine," he said, "that we should not be justified in refusing this offer. At the same time, if anyone has the right to provide for the child, why do they not come forward and claim her?"
At that moment Isobel came in. I took up the letter and placed it in her hand.
"Isobel," I said, "we want you to read this."