siness. Such was Hilliard's attitude. I trust I make myself
clear."

Again Coburn nodded without speaking.

"My position was different. I had by that time come to care for
Madeleine, and I saw the effect any disclosure must have on her. I
therefore wished things kept secret, and I urged Hilliard to carry out
his second idea and investigate further so as to make his case complete.
He made my assistance a condition of agreement, and I therefore
consented to help him."

Mr. Coburn was now ghastly, and was listening with breathless
earnestness to his visitor. Merriman realized what he had always
suspected, that the man was weak and a bit of a coward, and he began to
believe his bluff would carry him through.

"I need not trouble you," he went on, "with all the details of our
search. It is enough to say that we found out what we wanted. We went to
Hull, discovered the wharf at Ferriby, made the acquaintance of Benson,
and witnessed what went on there. We know all about Archer and how he
plants your stuff, and Morton, who had us under observation and whom we
properly tricked. I don't claim any credit for it; all that belongs to
Hilliard. And I admit we did not learn certain small details of your
scheme. But the main points are clear--clear enough to get convictions
anyway."

After a pause to let his words create their full effect, Merriman
continued:

"Then arose the problem that had bothered us before. Hilliard was wild
to go to the authorities with his story; on Madeleine's account I still
wanted it kept quiet. I needn't recount our argument. Suffice it to say
that at last we compromised. Hilliard agreed to wait for a month. For
the sake of our friendship and the help I had given him, he undertook to
give me a month to settle something about Madeleine. Mr. Coburn, nearly
half that month is gone and I am not one step farther on."

The manager wiped the drops of sweat from his pallid brow. Merriman's
quiet, confident manner, with its apparent absence of bluff or threat,
had had its effect on him. He was evidently thoroughly frightened, and
seemed to think it no longer worth while to plead ignorance. As Merriman
had hoped and intended, he appeared to conclude that conciliation would
be his best chance.

"Then no one but you two know so far?" he asked, a shifty, sly look
passing over his face.

Merriman read his thoughts and bluffed again.

"Yes and no," he answered. "No one but we two know at present. On the
othe