Maltravers started and Lena flushed visibly as if she hoped against hope that something might happen to interfere with this hateful marriage. The minister went on with the ceremony. Suddenly there was a commotion in the hall, the sound of footsteps was heard on the stairs, and Jack Harkaway, hat in hand, appeared in the doorway. Halting on the threshold he said: "Pardon my intrusion, ladies and gentlemen." Lord Maltravers bridled up. "You are an uninvited guest, sir," he replied. "I have taken the liberty of coming here to interrupt this marriage." Maltravers grew deathly pale. "Are you aware, my good fellow," he exclaimed insolently, "that you have rendered yourself liable to be removed by the police?" "Try it," answered Jack. "Fortunately I provided against a contingency of this kind and have a policeman stationed in the adjoining apartment. If you do not instantly quit the house, I shall--with Mrs. Van Hoosen's permission--tell the officer to do his duty." Mrs. Van Hoosen bowed her acquiescence. "Allow me to ask the minister one question," said Jack. "What is it?" inquired the minister. "Is it lawful for a man to have two wives?" "Certainly not." "Then I forbid this marriage to proceed, for Lord Maltravers has a wife living." "It is false," cried Maltravers. "What proofs have you of this allegation?" inquired the minister. "The lady herself." The next moment Harvey, with a lady leaning on his arm, made his appearance. The lady was Adéle Bellefontaine. "Here is your wife, my lord," exclaimed Jack. Adéle no sooner saw Maltravers than, clouded though her intellect was, she recognized him. Rushing forward she fell on her knees and grasped his unwilling hand. "Oh! do not spurn me from you," she cried. "I am your wife in the sight of God and man and Heaven knows I have always loved you dearly." "You are an impostor," replied Maltravers. "No, no. You cared for me once." "Away!" "I will not. This time you shall not drive me from you." Harkaway stepped forward. "Will you call your policeman now?" he asked. His lordship glared at him with bloodshot eyes. "Who killed Bambino?" persisted Jack. Maltravers staggered as if he had been shot. "My lord," said Jack, "_Bambino has spoken_! His confession and accusation against you were taken down by a judge. A warrant is already out for your arrest on the charge of murder, for he died this afternoon." Suddenly Maltravers drew a pistol from his pocket. "Stand back," he exclaimed. "I will not be taken alive." He attempted to gain the door, but Adéle clung to his hand. "Do not leave me," she plead. Depressing the muzzle of his pistol he placed it near her head. In the struggle that ensued, the pistol exploded, and Adéle fell to the floor, shot dead.