g a solitary and narrow life, you allowed it to develop
into a species of monomania. I had come out on top once too often for
your peace of mind. In your opinion the world was too small to hold both
of us. Accordingly, you evolved your terrific campaign. My business was
to be seriously damaged. And I was to be murdered. And then you were to
get the concern cheap from my executors, and to float me dead since you
could not float me living. What folly, Ravengar! What stupendous folly!
Even if the fanciful and grotesque scheme had succeeded as far as my
death, it could not have succeeded beyond that point.'

'I don't know what you are chattering about, Owen, but you look as if
you expected me to ask, "Why?" Anything to oblige you. Why?'

'You would have known the reason had you lived long enough to read the
provisions of my will,' said Hugo.

'I see,' said Ravengar.

'You do,' said Hugo. 'You see, you hear, you breathe, but Bentley
doesn't. Bentley has killed himself.' (Ravengar started.) 'So that if
you have not my blood on your conscience, you have his. You tempted him;
he fell ... and he has repented. Admit that you tempted him!'

Ravengar smiled superiorly. And then Hugo sprang forward in a sudden
overmastering passion.

'Hate breeds hate,' he cried, 'and I have learnt from you how to hate.
Admit that you have tried to ruin and to murder me, or, by G--! I will
kill you sooner than I intended.'

He had no weapon in his hands; the revolver was in a drawer; but
nevertheless Ravengar shrank from those menacing hands.

'Look here, Hugo--'

'Will you admit it? Or shall I have to--'

Their wills met in a supreme conflict.

'Oh, very well, then,' muttered Ravengar.

The conflict was over.

Hugo returned to his chair.

'Miserable cur!' he exclaimed. 'You were afraid of me. I knew I could
frighten you. I would have liked to be able to admire something more
than your ingenuity. Ravengar, I do believe I could have forgiven your
attempt to murder me if it had not included an attempt to dishonour me
at the same time. There is something simple and grand about a
straightforward murder--I shall prove to you soon that I do not always
regard murder as a crime--but to murder a man amid circumstances of
shame, to finish him off while making him look a fool--that is the act
of a--of a Ravengar.'

Ravengar yawned and glanced at his watch.

'It's nearly my dinner-time,' said he.

Again Hugo sprang forward, and, snatching