 the junction of roads which lead to Hampstead, to Highgate, and to
Holloway.
    »Shall you take an omnibus?« Jasper asked.
    She hesitated.
    »Or will you give me the pleasure of walking on with you? You are tired,
perhaps?«
    »Not the least.«
    For the rest of her answer she moved forward, and they crossed into the
obscurity of Camden Road.
    »Shall I be doing wrong, Mr Milvain,« Marian began in a very low voice, »if
I ask you about the authorship of something in this month's Current?«
    »I'm afraid I know what you refer to. There's no reason why I shouldn't
answer a question of the kind.«
    »It was Mr Fadge himself who reviewed my father's book?«
    »It was - confound him! I don't know another man who could have done the
thing so vilely well.«
    »I suppose he was only replying to my father's attack upon him and his
friends.«
    »Your father's attack is honest and straightforward and justifiable and well
put. I read that chapter of his book with huge satisfaction. But has anyone
suggested that another than Fadge was capable of that masterpiece?«
    »Yes. I am told that Mr Jedwood, the publisher, has somehow made a mistake.«
    »Jedwood? And what mistake?«
    »Father heard that you were the writer.«
    »I?« Jasper stopped short. They were in the rays of a street-lamp, and could
see each other's faces. »And he believes that?«
    »I'm afraid so.«
    »And you believe - believed it?«
    »Not for a moment.«
    »I shall write a note to Mr Yule.«
    Marian was silent a while, then said:
    »Wouldn't it be better if you found a way of letting Mr Jedwood know the
truth?«
    »Perhaps you are right.«
    Jasper was very grateful for the suggestion. In that moment he had reflected
how rash it would be to write to Alfred Yule on such a subject, with whatever
prudence in expressing himself. Such a letter, coming under the notice of the
great Fadge, might do its writer serious harm.
    »Yes, you are right,« he repeated. »I'll stop that rumour at its source. I
can't guess how it started; for aught I know, some enemy hath done this, though
I don't quite discern the motive. Thank
