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           Itwasevidentthattheyouthmeanttoshowbravadotothelast.

           ’No,’Willettslowlyrejoined,’thistimeIdidnothavetodig.WehavehadmenlookingupDr.Allen,andtheyfoundthefalsebeardandspectaclesinthebungalow.’

           ’Excellent,’commentedthedisquietedhostinanefforttobewittilyinsulting,’andItrusttheyprovedmorebecomingthanthebeardandglassesyounowhaveon!’

           ’Theywouldbecomeyouverywell,’cametheevenandstudiedresponse,’asindeedtheyseemtohavedone.’

           AsWillettsaidthis,italmostseemedasthoughacloudpassedoverthesun;thoughtherewasnochangeintheshadowsonthefloor.ThenWardventured:

           ’Andisthiswhataskssohotlyforareckoning?Supposeamandoesfinditnowandthenusefultobetwofold?’

           ’No’,saidWillettgravely,’againyouarewrong.Itisnobusinessofmineifanymanseeksduality;providedhehasanyrighttoexistatall,andprovidedhedoesnotdestroywhatcalledhimoutofspace.’

           Wardnowstartedviolently.’Well,Sir,whathaveyefound,andwhatd’yewantofme?’

           Thedoctorletalittletimeelapsebeforereplying,asifchoosinghiswordsforaneffectiveanswer.

           ’Ihavefound’,hefinallyintoned,’somethinginacupboardbehindanancientovermantelwhereapictureoncewas,andIhaveburneditandburiedtheasheswherethegraveofCharlesDexterWardoughttobe.