. I obtained the
orange-blossom.

Then you will remember I sent for you, Polycarp, made my will, and
accompanied you to my safe in your private vault, in order to deposit
there some secret instructions. I shall not soon forget your
mystification, and how you chafed under my imperative commands.

Camilla and I departed to Paris, my brain full of my scheme, and full of
happiness, too. We went to a private hotel to which Darcy had
recommended us, suitable for honeymoons. The following morning I was,
perhaps, inclined to smile a little at our terror of Ravengar; but,
peeping out of the window early, I saw Ravengar himself standing on the
pavement in the Rue St. Augustin.

I told Camilla I was going out, and that she must not leave that room,
nor admit anyone into it, until I returned. I felt that Ravengar, what
with disappointed love, and jealousy, and fear of the consequences of a
past crime, had developed into a sort of monomaniac in respect to
Camilla. I felt he was capable of anything. I should not have been
surprised if he had hired a room opposite to us on the other side of
that narrow street, and directed a fusillade upon Camilla.

When I reached the street he had disappeared--melted away.

It was quite early. However, I walked up the Rue de Grammont, and so to
Darcy's, and I routed him out of bed. I gave him the entire history of
the case. I convinced him of its desperateness, and I unfolded to him my
scheme. At first he fought shy of it. He said it might ruin him. He said
such things could not be done in London. I had meant to carry out the
scheme in this flat. Hence the reason, Polycarp, of the clause in my
will which provides for the sealing up of the flat in case I die within
two months of my wedding. You see, I feared that I might be cut off
before the plan was carried out or before all traces of it were cleared
away, and I wanted to keep the place safe from prying eyes. As it
happened, there was no need for such a precaution, as you will see, and
I shall make a new will to-morrow.

Darcy said suddenly: 'Why not carry out your plan here in Paris; and
now?'

The superior advantages of this alternative were instantly plain. It
would be safer for Camilla, since it would operate at once; and also
Darcy said that the formal details could be arranged much better in
Paris than in London, as doctors could be found there who would sign
anything, and clever sculptors, who did not mind a peculiar commission,
were