nly my own fortune, but the million that belonged to
them. That will be tough for all of us. Muriel knows how deeply I've
wronged her, but she is too much a thoroughbred to make it public.
Nevertheless, she detests me, and I detest myself; she may decide to
divorce me. At any rate, I have wrecked whatever home life I used to
have, for I'll never be able to support her, even if I sell the three
places. I'll be known as a failure; I'll be ridiculed by the world. On
the other hand, if I should die before next March she would be rich
again." Murray's eyes rested upon the package of policies. "Perhaps time
would soften her memory of me. The youngsters would have what they're
entitled to, and they would always think of me as a grand, good,
handsome parent who was taken off in his prime." He smiled whimsically
at this. "That is worth something to a fellow, isn't it? I don't want
them to be disillusioned, Henry; I don't want to endure their pity and
toleration. I don't want to be in their way and hear them say, 'Hush!
Here comes poor old father!' Do you understand?"

"To a certain extent. Then you really intend--to kill yourself?" DeVoe
glanced about the cozy room as if to assure himself that he was not
dreaming.

"Decidedly not. That insurance wouldn't be payable if--it was suicide. I
intend to die from natural causes--before the first of March."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Very little; keep me company, answer questions about my illness,
perhaps; attend to a few things after I'm gone. You might even have to
prove that I didn't take my own life. Do you agree?"

"Whew! That's a cold-blooded proposition. Are you really in earnest?"

"It took nearly my last dollar to buy that insurance. I will execute a
promissory note to you for twenty-five thousand dollars, payable one
year from date. Borrowed money, understand? The executors will see that
it is paid. Is that satisfactory?"

"But you say you can't kill yourself and yet--Good Lord! How calmly
we're discussing this thing! What makes you think you'll die of natural
causes within the next three months?"

"I shall see that I do. Oh, I've thought it all out. I've studied
poisons, but there is the danger of discovery when one uses them.
They'll do to fall back upon if necessary, but there is a better way
which is quite as certain, reasonably quick, and utterly above
suspicion."

"What is it?" questioned DeVoe, interestedly.

"Pneumonia! I had a touch of it once, and I k