t not in sufficient degree to induce him to relinquish
the comforts of freedom for the inconveniences of a prison. So they
offered no objection to his departure, permitting him to leave without a
word, as though they were entirely unconcerned in what he did.

Knowing Collins intimately as they did, it was impossible to take his
assumption of the role of an outraged husband seriously. They saw, only
too clearly, the ridiculous figure he made in the false light with which
he had invested himself. But when he was gone, with his threat still
echoing through their brains, they began to doubt their first impression
of his cowardice.

"That's a fine mess you've made of it," said Ward, who had grown
palpably uneasy.

"I made the mess when I married him," replied the sister. "I shall now
proceed to disentangle myself from it. Until I start for Reno I shall
live at your house."

"You don't think, really, that he would shoot?" The brother's face
expressed incredulity, mixed with worry.

Her forehead contracted in thought.

"As he is now, I feel certain he would not dare. But should he start
drinking--"

Ward was on his feet, his pale face grown paler.

"That's just it!" he exclaimed. "We must forestall him."

The same thought had flashed through her brain and she was already on
the way to the telephone. She called up Whitmore's house and asked for
the merchant.

"He didn't come home last night," the butler informed her.

Although burning with anxiety she made no further inquiries of the
servant. Instead, she rang up Whitmore's office.

"No ma'am, he hasn't been here this morning," the office boy said.

"Then give me Mr. Beard, his secretary."

"He hasn't been here, either."

She hung up the receiver and turned a bewildered countenance to her
brother.

"There is something singular about Herbert's absence from home and his
failure to appear at the office," she said. "I don't know why I should
think so--but I do."

"It's impossible for your husband to have reached the city," Ward
answered reassuringly. "He won't get there for twenty-five minutes and
the chances are he'll stop in various saloons before he tries to find
Whitmore. I'll have my car here in ten minutes and we'll proceed at once
to Whitmore's office and wait for him. Now hurry and get dressed."

Ward paced the drawing-room while waiting for his sister to finish her
toilet. He had telephoned for his automobile and heard the car draw up
at the gate. I