“I came down to see what the lady desired. Your wife was here. I was in no way responsible for what followed, but I assure you that she received no encouragement from me.” “What did I see as I entered this room?” demanded the man. “You saw me preventing her from clasping her arms about my neck. I had just told her how foolish she was, but she would not be rebuffed.” “Liar!” panted the husband, seeming to become still more furious. “Do you dare accuse my wife of such immodesty! Do you dare charge her with following you without encouragement! She would not do such a thing. You are trying to shield yourself behind a woman, you cowardly young——” “Stop!” exploded Frank, stepping forward. “I have stood quite enough of this from you! I am sorry for you, but I am not willing to be called all sorts of vile names. Your wife forced me to tell the truth and the whole truth. I do not fancy lying, but I might have stretched the truth to protect her if she had given me any chance. She gave me no chance. She came here of her own accord, without encouragement from me, and——” “Oh, you shall pay for every word you speak! You dare thus traduce my wife, you——” “Stop again! I have seen quite enough of both you and your wife. I trust you will be good enough to take her away. She is not the only one to write me mash notes, and——” Again the husband interrupted: “So you boast of your conquests! You are a gallant young blade! But you are like all actors, a poor, miserable——” “You are like all jealous husbands—you have not a particle of sense in your head. You are decidedly exasperating, sir. Be kind enough to take your wife and go!” “I will not go with him!” panted the woman, suddenly rushing on Frank and clasping him about the neck. “I will stay with you! You are the one I love!” CHAPTER IX. UNMASKED! At this moment another man stepped into the parlor. He wore a long overcoat and his features were hidden by a full beard. “Ha!” shouted the husband, triumphantly, rushing at this man and catching him by the arm, while he pointed toward Merry and the woman. “Look there! See! I want you for a witness in this matter, Mr. Davis! There is my wife with this wretch of an actor who has enticed her here! Do you see—do you see?” The other nodded. “Yes, I see,” he said in a muffled voice. “Don’t forget it, Davis! I shall want your testimony in court.” “I’ll not forget it.” By this time Merry had succeeded in putting the woman aside again, and now he was thoroughly exasperated. “It is plain you are determined to get me into a fine mess!” he exclaimed. “Take me away with you! He will kill me if you don’t!” “Madam, you have passed the limit! I think you should be in an insane asylum.” “Oh, you are cruel!” “Well, I feel a trifle that way!” confessed Merry. Then he started toward the two men, but they turned toward the door, the husband crying: “I’ll have him arrested!” “Wait!” cried Frank.