s it, she wondered?
What was the meaning of it? Why didn't he speak? He did nothing but
look, and there were unutterable things in his eyes. Was he angry with
her because she had married Wenham, or was he blaming her because Wenham
had gone? There was passion in his face, but such passion! Desire,
perhaps, but what else? She caught up a telegram which lay upon her
writing desk, and tore it open. It was an escape for a moment. She read
the words, stared, and read them aloud incredulously. It was from her
father.

"Jerry Gardner sailed for New York to-day."

She looked up at the man, and as she looked her face grew gray and the
thin sheet went quivering from her lifeless fingers to the floor. Then
he began to laugh, and she knew.

"Wenham!" she shrieked. "Wenham!"

There was murder in his face, murder almost in his laugh.

"Your loving husband!" he answered.

She sprang for the door but even as she moved she heard the click of the
bolt shot back. He touched the electric switch and the room was suddenly
in darkness. She heard him coming towards her, she felt his hot breath
upon her cheek.

"My loving wife!" he whispered. "At last!"

CHAPTER XXV. THE MADMAN TALKS

Tavernake turned on the light. Pritchard, with a quick leap forward,
seized Wenham around the waist and dragged him away. Elizabeth had
fainted; she lay upon the floor, her face the color of marble.

"Get some water and throw over her," Pritchard ordered.

Tavernake obeyed. He threw open the window and let in a current of air.
In a moment or two the woman stirred and raised her head.

"Look after her for a minute," Pritchard said. "I Il lock this fierce
little person up in the bathroom."

Pritchard carried his prisoner out. Tavernake leaned over the woman who
was slowly coming back to consciousness.

"Tell me about it," she asked, hoarsely. "Where is he?"

"Locked up in the bathroom," Tavernake answered. "Pritchard is taking
care of him. He won't be able to get out."

"You know who it was?" she faltered.

"I do not," Tavernake replied. "It isn't my business. I'm only here
because Pritchard begged me to come. He thought he might want help."

She held his fingers tightly.

"Where were you?" she asked.

"In the bathroom when you arrived. Then he bolted the door behind and we
had to come round through your bedroom."

"How did Pritchard find out?"

"I know nothing about it," Tavernake replied. "I only know that he
peered through the