guess, for it had seemed to him that it must be the
solution to the mystery, and when he caught the quick, triumphant light in
the woman's eyes at his words he knew he had not erred.

"Yes," she said; "I saw him, and I told him--what Braman told me." She saw
his eyes glitter and she laughed harshly. "That's what you wanted to know,
isn't it, Jeff--what Braman told me? Well, you know it. I knew you
couldn't play square with me. You thought you could dupe me--_again_,
didn't you? Well, you didn't, for I snared Braman and pumped him dry. He's
kept me posted on your movements; and his little board telephone--Ha, ha!
that makes you squirm, doesn't it? But it was all wasted effort--Trevison
won't have me--he's through. And I'm through. I'm not going to try any
more. I'm going back East, after I get rested. You fight it out with
Trevison. But I warn you, he'll beat you--and I wish he would! As for that
beast, Braman, I wish--Ah, let him go, Jeff," she advised, noting the cold
fury in his eyes.

"That's all right," he said with a dry laugh. "You and Braman have done
well. It hasn't done me any harm, and so we'll forget about it. What do
you say to having a drink--and a talk. As in old times, eh?" He seemed
suddenly to have conquered his passion, but the queer twitching of his
lips warned the woman, and when he essayed to move toward her, smiling
pallidly, she darted to the far side of a stand near the center of the
room, pulled out a drawer, produced a small revolver and leveled it at
him, her eyes wide and glittering with menace.

"Stay where you are, Jeff!" she ordered. "There's murder in your heart,
and I know it. But I don't intend to be the victim. I'll shoot if you come
one step nearer!"

He smirked at her, venomously. "All right," he said. "You're wise. But get
out of town on the next train."

"I'll go when I get ready--you can't scare me. Let me alone or I'll go to
Rosalind Benham and let her in on the whole scheme."

"Yes you will--not," he laughed. "If I know anything about you, you won't
do anything that would give Miss Benham to Trevison."

"That's right; I'd rather see her married to you--that would be the
refinement of cruelty!"

He laughed sneeringly and stepped out of the door. Waiting a short time,
the woman heard his step in the hall. Then she darted to the door, locked
it, and leaned against it, panting.

"I've done it now," she murmured. "Braman--Well, it serves him right!"

*