Meara, saying:

"You have heard me say that Mr. Bathurst, the detective, and friend of
Doctor Heath, was, not long since, in W----; he may be here still; I do
not know. But he must be found; he is the only man who can do what
_must_ be done. For I repeat, Doctor Heath must be saved, and the true
criminal must _not_ be punished. My entire fortune is at your command;
find this detective, for my hands are tied; and he _must_, he MUST, find
a way to save both guilty and innocent."

"This is getting too deep for me, Wedron," says O'Meara, when the door
has closed behind Constance. "What does it lead up to? For I take it
your tactics mean something."

Mr. Wedron laughs a low, mellow laugh.

"Things are shaping themselves to my liking," he says, rubbing his hands
briskly. "We are almost done floundering, O'Meara. Thanks to Miss
Wardour, I know where to put my hand when the right time comes."

"I don't understand."

"You will very soon. Now hear a prophecy: Before to-morrow night,
Clifford Heath will send for you, and lay before you a plan for his
defence. He will manifest a sudden desire to live."

CHAPTER XXXVI.

TWO PASSENGERS WEST.

Late that night a man is walking slowly up and down the little footpath
that leads from the highway, just opposite Mapleton, down to the river
and close past that pretty, white boat house belonging to the Lamotte
domain.

He is very patient, very tranquil in his movements, and quite
unconscious that, crouched in the shadow, not far away, a small figure
notes his every action.

Presently a second form emerges from the gloom that hangs over the gates
of Mapleton, and comes down toward the river. Just beside the boat house
it pauses and waits the man's approach.

The new comer is a woman. The night is not so dark but that her form is
distinctly visible to the hidden watcher.

"Well," says the man, coming close beside her, "I am here--madam."

"Yes," whispers the woman. "Have you--" she hesitates.

"Accomplished my task?" he finishes the sentence. "Have you not proof up
yonder that the work is done?"

The woman trembles from head to foot, and draws farther away.

"I am only waiting to receive what is now due me," the man resumes. "You
need have no fears as to the future; like Abraham, you have been
provided with a lamb for the sacrifice."

Again a shudder shakes the form of the woman, but she does not speak.

"I must trouble you to do me a favor, Mrs. Burrill," the ma