Page:Edgar Wallace - The Man who Knew.djvu/338

 "Don't touch me!" she breathed, and put her hands before her, warding him off.

He looked at her in astonishment, and from her to Mann. Then he looked back at the girl, his brow wrinkled in perplexity. "This girl," said Mr. Mann, "thinks she is your wife." "My wife?" said Frank, and looked again at her. "Is this a bad joke or something—do you say that I am your husband?" he asked. She did not speak, but nodded slowly. He sat down in a chair and whistled.

"This rather complicates matters," he said blankly, "but perhaps you can explain?"

"I only know what the girl has told me," said Mr. Mann, shaking his head. "I am afraid there is a terrible mistake here." Frank turned to the girl.

"But did your husband look like me?"

She nodded. "And did he call himself Frank Merrill?"

Again she nodded.