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 "What's your business?" asked the doctor.

"We are opticians."

"H'm! Do you like the trade?"

"I don't know what that has to do with the question. We're in it, and it gives us a fair living. What I have come to ask about is Mrs. Ellery. I shall, of course, consider myself responsible for the support of the family, and I want you to act for me in the matter. I have inquired about her husband's earnings, and I think I can spare very nearly that income from the beginning. Your part would be to invent some reason for her receiving it without betraying me. I'm afraid she wouldn't take the money if she knew all. Do you think you could arrange this?"

"Easily enough," said the doctor. He examined his small fraction of a cigar with much apparent interest, and then he added: "I suppose Mrs. Ellery has a mind, but I have never known her to use it. She would believe that the ravens were feeding her if I told her so."

Anson was about to make some reply when the doctor asked, abruptly: "How long do you propose to keep it up?"

"How long? Always, I suppose."

"And when you are married and have a family of your own to provide for?"

"I, married? I shall never marry."

"Oh! You can't be so sure of that at your age."