r hand, we have naturally taken all reasonable precautions. Hilliard
prepared a full statement of the matter which we both signed, and this
he sent to his banker with a request that unless he claimed it in person
before the given date, the banker was to convey it to Scotland Yard. If
anything happens to me here, Hilliard will go at once to the Yard, and
if anything happens to him our document will be sent there. And in it we
have suggested that if either of us disappear, it will be equivalent to
adding murder to the other charges made."

It was enough. Mr. Coburn sat, broken and completely cowed. To Merriman
he seemed suddenly to have become an old man. For several minutes
silence reigned, and then at last the other spoke.

"What do you want me to do?" he asked, in a tremulous voice, hardly
louder than a whisper.

Merriman's heart leaped.

"To consider your daughter, Mr. Coburn," he answered promptly. "All I
want is to marry Madeleine, and for her sake I want you to get out of
this thing before the crash comes."

Mr. Coburn once more wiped the drops of sweat from his forehead.

"Good lord!" he cried hoarsely. "Ever since it started I have been
trying to get out of it. I was forced into it against my will and I
would give my soul if I could do as you say and get free. But I can't--I
can't."

He buried his head in his hands and sat motionless, leaning on his desk.

"But your daughter, Mr. Coburn," Merriman persisted. "For her sake
something must be done."

Mr. Coburn shook his clenched fists in the air.

"Damnation take you!" he cried, with a sudden access of rage, "do you
think I care about myself? Do you think I'd sit here and listen to you
talking as you've done if it wasn't for her? I tell you I'd shoot you
as you sit, if I didn't know from my own observation that she is fond
of you. I swear it's the only thing that has saved you." He rose to
his feet and began pacing jerkily to and fro. "See here," he continued
wildly, "go away from here before I do it. I can't stand any more of you
at present. Go now and come back on Friday night at the same time, and
I'll tell you of my decision. Here's the key," he threw it down on the
desk. "Get out quick before I do for you!"

Merriman was for a moment inclined to stand his ground, but, realizing
that not only had he carried his point as far as he could have expected,
but also that his companion was in so excited a condition as hardly to
be accountable for his actio