or you had you fallen dead at my feet on the day when you
became my wife. Then I should have been spared--I should have been
spared a great deal. You are right, Iris. Your duty lies plainly before
you. As for me, I must think of mine. Farewell! The lips of a murderer
are not fit to touch even the hem of your garments. Farewell!"

He left her. She heard the hall door open and shut. She would see her
husband no more.

She went to her own room and packed a single box with necessary things.
Then she called the housemaid and informed her that she had been
summoned to return suddenly to England; she must reach Brussels at
least that evening. The woman brought a porter who carried her box to
the station; and Iris left Louvain--and her husband--for ever.

CHAPTER LXII

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

AT a Board Meeting of the Royal Unicorn Life Insurance Company,
specially convened, the Chairman had to make a communication of a very
remarkable character.

"Gentlemen," he said, "I call upon the Secretary, without further
introduction, to read a letter, to consider which you are called
together this day."

"The letter," the Secretary began, "is simply headed 'Paris,' dated two
days ago."

"Only two days ago," said the Chairman, mysteriously. "But, of course,
that means nothing. There has been plenty of time for him to change his
residence. I dare say he may be in London at our very elbow. Go on, if
you please."

"Gentlemen"--the Secretary proceeded to read the letter. "It is now
three months since a claim was sent in to you by the firm of Erskine,
Mansfield, Denham & Co., solicitors of Lincoln's Inn Fields, for the
sum of 15,000 pounds due to the heirs of Lord Harry Norland in respect
of an insurance effected upon his life."

"The claim, gentlemen," said the Chairman, "was duly acknowledged and
paid some weeks later. It was a heavy loss; but these things will
occur, and there seemed no reason to doubt the facts alleged, or to
dispute the claim."

"I write this letter," the Secretary continued reading, "in order to
inform you that the claim was fraudulent, inasmuch as Lord Harry
Norland was at the time, and is still, actually living."

Fraudulent! The man still living! At this point there was a sudden
awakening. Everybody sat up and listened with all their ears.

"I may tell you, gentlemen," the Chairman explained, "that the writer
of this remarkable letter is none other than Lord Harry Norland
himself. We will now p