"I was at Jarlchester," said Roger, emphatically, "during the investigation of that case."
Both his listeners were silent, as if some nameless fear paralysed their tongues; then Marson looked at Spolger, and Spolger looked at Marson, while Roger glanced rapidly from one to the other.
At this moment Judith entered the room.
"Florry is better," she said, advancing; "she is— What, Mr. Axton!"
"Yes; I came down here to see a friend, and thought I would look in," replied Roger as she greeted him.
"I am very glad you did not forget us," she remarked, quietly resuming her seat. "Will you have a cup of tea?"
"Thank you!"
They were seated beside the tea-table, and were quite alone, as Mr. Marson in company with his future son-in-law had left their seats, and were now talking together in low whispers at the end of the room. Judith handed a cup of tea to Roger, and looked at him steadily as he stirred it with a listless expression on his worn face.
"You don't look well," she said at length, dropping her eyes.
"Mental worry," he responded, with a sigh. "I have undergone a good deal since I last saw you."