to the utmost of my power. But there is no reason why you should not
have a good share of the property, which she would gladly relinquish on
condition that you left her alone. Now just listen carefully. I think
there would be small difficulty, if we set about it, in proving that you
were guilty against her with your present wife; and in that case she
could claim a divorce absolutely, and her property would remain her own.
Your second marriage with the same person would set her free from you
altogether."

"You could prove nothing." he replied, fiercely, "and my second marriage
is covered by the documents I could produce."

"Which are forged," I said, calmly; "we will find out by whom. You are
in a net of your own making. But we do not wish to push this question to
a legal issue. Let us come to some arrangement. Olivia will consent to
any terms I agree to."

Unconsciously I was speaking as if I knew where Olivia was, and could
communicate with her when I chose. I was merely anticipating the time
when Tardif felt sure of hearing from her. Foster lay still, watching me
with his cold, keen eyes.

"If those letters are forged," he said, uneasily, "it is Olivia who has
forged them. But I must consult my lawyers. I will let you know the
result in a few days."

But the same evening I received a note, desiring me to go and see him
immediately. I was myself in a fever of impatience, and glad at the
prospect of any settlement "of this subject, in the hope of setting
Olivia free, as far as she could be free during his lifetime. He was
looking brighter and better than in the morning, and an odd smile played
now and then about his face as he talked to me, after having desired
Mrs. Foster to leave us alone together.

"Mark!" he said, "I have not the slightest reason to doubt Olivia's
death, except your own opinion to the contrary, which is founded upon
reasons of which I know nothing. But, acting on the supposition that she
may be still alive, I am quite willing to enter into negotiations with
her, I suppose it must be through you."

"It must," I answered, "and it cannot be at present. You will have to
wait for some months, perhaps, while I pursue my search for her. I do
not know where she is any more than you do."

A vivid gleam crossed his face at these words, but whether of
incredulity or satisfaction I could not tell.

"But suppose I die in the mean time?" he objected.

That objection was a fair and obvious one. His mal