“It’s obvious. You must release me from my promise. I must be able to account for my night--prove my statement.” “Forfeit my money!” she cried, terror raising her voice. “Do you know what that would mean, to me? This wealth that my father got together is flesh of my flesh and blood of my blood. I can’t give it up. It would kill me!” “It would be your life for mine,” he said, ironically. “You have sworn,” she said. “If I had given my simple promise it would have been sufficient.” “Are you going to keep it?” He drew himself up. “We will not discuss that,” he said. “Would they let you go if you told them?” “Most probably.” “And if they did not?” “There would be a very weak case against me.” “But a wife’s evidence is invalid,” she cried, eagerly seeking the loophole. “There is Anna.” “But it would be against you to confess you were in the house at that time.” “Anna could swear to my entrance at twelve by the window.” “It might lead to my being arrested, too, as an accomplice.” “I scarcely think so,” he replied, coldly. The interview was growing hateful. “We could have Anna as a witness to our conjugal relations. She could swear to entering our room at six to wake us--if the worst came to the worst, she might swear she found us asleep. Morality has its limits when it’s life or death.” Minna sank into a chair and crouched there in a shaking terror. “I can’t--I can’t--I can’t lose my money.” “Very well,” he said, “you may keep it. I shall take my chance.” “It would be the same,” she said, hoarsely, “if you said I was your mistress only. Goldberg is an executor under my father’s will. He hates me--you know why. The clause in the will would put him on the scent. He would go to Somerset House and discover it all....” “If I am arrested and brought before the magistrate, can you expect Anna to be equally reticent?” “Anna is an Oriental. Besides, she starts for Smyrna to-morrow morning.” “In the face of what I have just told you, will you let her go?” he asked, sternly.