He spoke in hurrying accents, and as he ceased the cigar fell from his fingers. "But I thought you said that they weren't married at all?" "They are not. But you mustn't know it. Your friend--who informed you (say it was a man casually in the town, a commercial traveller, who knew your wife formerly by sight)--took it for granted they were married. If you knew she had not broken the law, you would have no excuse for going into Court, you see." Northway pondered the matter, clicking with his tongue. "You remember, I hope," pursued Glazzard, "all I told you at Clifton about the position of these people?" "Yes, I remember. How long have they been together?" "About two years." "Has she a child?" "No. Now, are you disposed to serve me? If you consent, you will gain the knowledge of your wife's whereabouts and the reward I promised--which I shall pay now. If you take the money and then spoil my scheme, you will find it has been useless dishonesty. To-morrow, in any case, the facts will be made public." Northway glanced at him ill-humouredly. "You needn't be so anxious about my honesty, Mr. Marks. But I should like to be made a little surer that you have been telling me the truth. How do I know that my wife is really living as you say? It seems to me I ought to have a sight of her before I go talking to magistrates." Glazzard reflected. "Nobody," pursued the other, "would make such a charge just on hearsay evidence. It would only be common sense for me to see her first." "That objection is reasonable. If you knew how well-assured I am of this lady's identity, you would understand why your view of the matter never occurred to me. You must say that you _have_ seen her, that's all--seen her coming out of her house." But Northway was still unsatisfied. He desired to know how it was that a public man had succeeded in deceiving all his friends in such an affair as that of his marriage, and put various other questions, which reminded Glazzard how raw a hand he was at elaborate artifice. Whilst the discussion was going on, Northway took from his pocket an envelope, and from the envelope drew a small photograph. "You showed me one the other day," he said. "Now, do you recognize that?" "Undoubtedly. That is Miss Lilian Allen--four years ago, I dare say." "H'm! not a bad guess. It's four years old, as near as can be. I see you know all about her, though how you found out I can't understand, unless she"---- He paused, peering at Glazzard suspiciously.