horrible
hopelessness of her situation, then her natural courage, her
indomitable, self-reliance overcame fear. If he expected an outburst of
anger and incoherent reproach, or if he expected her to break down into
hysterical supplication, he was disappointed. She had a firm grip upon
herself, perfect command of voice and words.

"I suppose you are one of those clever criminals one reads about," she
said, "prepared for all emergencies, perfectly self-confident, capable
and satisfied that there is nobody quite so clever as themselves."

"Very likely," he smiled. "It is a form of egotism," he said quietly. "I
read a book once about criminals. It was written by an Italian and he
said that was the chief characteristic of them all."

"Vanity? And they always do such clever things and such stupid things at
the same time, and their beautiful plans are so full of absurd
miscalculations, just as yours are."

"Just as mine are," he said mockingly.

"Just as yours are," she repeated; "you are so satisfied that because
you are educated and you are a scientist, that you are ever so much more
clever than all the rest of the world."

"Go on," he said. "I like to hear you talking. Your analysis is nearly
perfect and certainly there is a lot of truth in what you say."

She held down the surging anger which almost choked her and retained a
calm level. Sooner or later she would find the joint in his harness.

"I suppose you have everything ready?"

"My staff work is always good," he murmured, "marriage licence, parson,
even the place where you will spend your solitary honeymoon after
signing a few documents."

She turned toward him slowly. Against the window of the big limousine
his head was faintly outlined and she imagined the smile which was on
his face at that moment.

"So that is it!" she said. "I must sign a few documents saying that I
married you of my own free will!"

"No, madam," he said, "the circumstances under which you marry me
require no justification and that doesn't worry me in the slightest."

"What documents have I to sign?" she asked.

"You will discover in time," said he. "Here is the house, unless my
eyesight has gone wrong."

The car turned from the road, seemed to plunge into a high hedge, though
in reality, as the girl saw for a second as the lamps caught the stone
gate-posts, it was the entrance to a drive, and presently came to a stop
before a big rambling house. Van Heerden jumped down and assis