nd then--just for an
hour--and all the selfishness comes back again. It'll be the same till
I'm dead.'

He put out the lamp and followed her upstairs. His limbs ached; he
could scarcely drag one leg after the other. Never mind; the battle was
gained once more.

CHAPTER XL

JANE

'The poisoning business startled me. I shouldn't at all wonder if I had
a precious narrow squeak of something of the kind myself before I took
my departure; in fact, a sort of fear of the animal made me settle
things as sharp as I could. Let me know the result of the trial. Wonder
whether there'll be any disagreeable remarks about a certain
acquaintance of yours, detained abroad on business? Better send me
newspapers--same name and address. . . . But I've something
considerably more important to think about. . . . A big thing; I
scarcely dare tell you how big. I stand to win $2,000,000! . . . Not a
soul outside suspects the ring. When I tell you that R.S.N. is in it,
you'll see that I've struck the right ticket this time. . . . Let me
hear about Jane. If all goes well here, and you manage that little
business, you shall have $100,000, just for house-furnishing, you know.
I suppose you'll have your partnership in a few months?'

Extracts from a letter, with an American stamp, which Mr. Scawthorne
read as he waited for his breakfast. It was the end of October, and
cool enough to make the crackling fire grateful. Having mused over the
epistle, our friend took up his morning paper and glanced at the report
of criminal trials. Whilst he was so engaged his landlady entered,
carrying a tray of appetising appearance.

'Good-morning, Mrs. Byass,' he said, with much friendliness. Then, in a
lower voice, 'There's a fuller report here than there was in the
evening paper. Perhaps you looked at it?'

'Well, yes, sir; I thought you wouldn't mind,' replied Bessie,
arranging the table.

'She'll be taken care of or three years, at all events.'

'If you'd seen her that day she came here after Miss Snowdon, you'd
understand how glad I feel that she's out of the way. I'm sure I've
been uneasy ever since. If ever there comes a rather loud knock
at--there I begin to tremble; I do indeed. I don't think I shall ever
get over it.'

'I dare say Miss Snowdon will be easier in mind?'

'I shouldn't wonder. But she won't say anything about it. She feels the
disgrace so much, and I know it's almost more than she can do to go to
work, just because she thin