, of course not. To him I am dead and
buried, just as I am to the rest of the world. My executors have
proved my will at Somerset House, and very soon you will receive its
benefits. To meet the old doctor would be to reveal the whole thing."

"It is all so strange," she said with a low sigh, "that sometimes,
when I am alone, I can't believe it to be true. We have deceived the
world so completely."

"Of course. That was my intention."

"But could it not have been done without the sacrifice of that man's
life?" she queried. "Remember! The crime of murder was committed."

"You are only dreaming!" he replied, in a hard voice. "A mystery was
necessary for our success."

"And it is a mystery which has entirely baffled the police in every
particular."

"As I intended it should. I laid my plans with care, so that there
should be no hitch or point by which Scotland Yard could obtain a
clue."

"But our future life?" she murmured. "When may I return again to you?
At present I am compelled to feign mourning, and present a perfect
picture of interesting widowhood; but--but I hate this playing at
death."

"Have patience, dear," he urged in a sympathetic tone. "For the moment
we must remain entirely apart, holding no communication with each
other save in secret, on the first and fifteenth day of every month as
we arranged. As soon as I find myself in a position of safety we will
disappear together, and you will leave the world wondering at the
second mystery following upon the first."

"In how long a time do you anticipate?" she asked, looking earnestly
into his eyes.

"A few months at most," was his answer. "If it were possible you
should return to me at once; but you know how strange and romantic is
my life, compelled to disguise my personality, and for ever moving
from place to place, like the Wandering Jew. To return to me at
present is quite impossible. Besides--you are in the hands of the
executors; and before long must be in evidence in order to receive my
money."

"Money is useless to me without happiness," she declared, in a voice
of complaint. "My position at present is one of constant dread."

"Whom and what do you fear?"

"I believe that Dr. Boyd has some vague suspicion of the truth," she
responded, after a pause.

"What?" he cried, in quick surprise. "Tell me why. Explain it all to
me."

"There is nothing to explain--save that to-night he seemed to regard
my movements with suspicion."

"Ah! my dea