"Major—why, what do you know of him?"
"This, for one thing—he deserted from my regiment six years ago. It will be my duty now to have the scamp arrested."
"No; no—don't do that. I beg of you—I implore you; don't do that!"
"Why, Mrs. Arkel, who—what is this man to you?"
She shook her head, and buried her face in her hands.
"I must tell you; yes, I must tell you," she moaned. "Don't have him arrested, Major, for he is my brother—my unhappy brother!"
CHAPTER III.
MRS. PARSLEY'S PROTÉGÉ.
It was with unfeigned amazement that Major Dundas heard Miriam's revelation. He recalled now the man's military career, and he marvelled at her relationship with him only the more as he did so. She would have confided in him further he knew, but at that moment her husband's key grated in the lock, and it was all the distraught woman could do to compose herself.