till to-morrow," said Madam Imbert, "it is a bad time to talk."

"Madam Imbert, you are now my only friend, and I would like to have your
opinion as to who it is that is writing these letters about me to my
husband. If I knew the dirty dog, I would put a ball through him. I am
not fairly treated. I am Maroney's wife, and he should not believe such
slanders against me. As long as I live I will do all I can for him."

"Mrs. Maroney," said Madam Imbert, getting up, "I must not listen to
you; I will go."

"Please don't! Who can it be that is writing these reports from
Jenkintown?" again enquired Mrs. Maroney.

"That is a point upon which it is hard for me to enlighten you," replied
the Madam; "it might be Barclay or some of Josh.'s friends. Josh. is a
good clever fellow, for a brother-in-law, but I would not trust him too
much; he is a little inclined to talk, and Barclay may have drawn
something from him and written to your husband; I know De Forest don't
like him."

"I will see Josh. at once, and find out about this Barclay," said Mrs.
Maroney.

"You had better wait till morning," said Madam Imbert, as she rose to
leave the room; "I must go to bed, and you had better follow my
example."

Mrs. Maroney began to show the effects of the brandy she had been
drinking, but she took Madam Imbert's arm and went to the door with her.
It was now ten o'clock, but she requested the Madam to take a turn in
the garden with her. They had hardly taken two steps before Mrs.
Maroney stumbled over a man concealed at the side of the house. It was
Rivers, but he was up and off before the frightened ladies had a chance
to see him. Madam Imbert screamed lustily, although she well knew who it
was.

"D----n him," said Mrs. Maroney, "that's that De Forest; I will kill
him, sure! What was he doing here?"

Madam Imbert remarked that it was either he or Barclay.

"I know what he is looking after," said Mrs. Maroney; "I see through the
whole thing! De Forest is a tool of the Vice-President; he thinks he has
got my secrets, but I'll be after him yet." Her voice was hoarse and
dry, and plainly showed the effects of the brandy. Madam Imbert walked
out of the garden and went to the tavern, while Mrs. Maroney went into
the house.

Rivers, when he was disturbed in his watching of the cellar window,
rushed straight to Stemples's, where he found Barclay, Horton and Cox.
"How do you do, boys?" said he, "come and have a drink; I have just come
in