were on the night of March 14th.
Then, not a soul outside myself knew of my intention. You'd have
claimed leave from the Courts to presume death, and it would certainly
have been granted you. You would legally have been a widow, and I--as
Clifford Matheson--should legally have been dead.... But now, both you
and Larssen, and his secretary as well, know that Clifford Matheson is
alive."

"Does anyone else know?"

"No one."

"Larssen will certainly keep the secret. So will his secretary. So shall
I. That's no difficulty."

"You mean to apply to the courts for a certificate of my death, knowing
that it will be fraudulent."

"That, or divorce against you and Miss Verney." The lines of obstinacy
were hard-set around her mouth.

"Why are you so bitter against her?"

Olive remained contemptuously silent. Her reason, as she saw it, should
be obvious enough. If Clifford was so dense as not to see it, she was
certainly not going to enlighten him.

Even in face of what had gone before, Matheson was still hoping to
soften his wife towards Elaine. He tried again. "Her life is ruined. Her
work was her happiness as well as her livelihood. Now, both are snatched
away from her. She is an orphan; she has no relatives in sympathy with
her; her means are very limited; she has heavy expenses to face over the
operation and the convalescence. She is under Hegelmann's care at
Wiesbaden. This very morning he is operating on her. I must go back to
Wiesbaden at once to hear how things are going."

"You can wire and find out."

"I prefer to go personally."

"Is she so very attractive to you?"

Matheson, sick at heart, reached for his hat and stick preparatory to
taking his leave.

A sudden thought struck Olive. "You swear to me that you've told no one
you're Clifford Matheson?"

"No one knows beyond yourself, Larssen, and Sylvester."

"And you'll tell no one else?"

"I must reserve that right."

"It's not in our bargain!" protested Olive. "You were to disappear
completely."

"It won't affect our bargain," he retorted.

"That's for me to say."

"Heaven knows that I've given up to you enough already!"

"I ask you to swear to me you'll never tell anyone else! Not even hint
at it!"

"I can't promise it."

"That's your last word?"

"Yes."

Olive flashed hate at him. Her hands were quivering when she answered,
as though she could have torn him in pieces.

"Very well, then! I'll reserve my right of action too!" Her f