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324 "If he did?" she repeated. "The heavens would fall. Why, I should be free, and I should have the three hundred a year he settled on me at first."

"You're sure?" I felt that this had sealed his fate. "You are quite sure?"

"Yes, yes; he has often cursed himself for a fool for doing it."

Every man has his moment of madness. I have seldom given myself away, I think. Luckily I had no cause to regret it; but I did do so now.

"Then he dies," I said, my arm around her, the words whispered into her ear. It sounds melodramatic, but it was not. It was dead serious determination. "And," I continued, looking into her face, "you must help me."

"I—help you—how—what do you mean, Archie?" was the whispered answer.

"I can manage it easily, but I must have a chance to get him by myself. Those women must be got out of the way. Three—two—minutes will do it, but it must be certain."

"Julius—die," she muttered, clinging close up to me in the semi-darkness. "Do you mean it?"

"Yes, yes, dear, I am speaking in earnest," I answered. "I cannot see you go on like