“You can go to the man who employs you and tell him for me that Paul Prescott defies him, and will fight him to the end!” This was strange language—there was certainly nothing cringing here. “Very good. Your blood be on your own head. You are watched when you least expect it.” “Be careful you don’t go too far and get hurt.” “Bah! I was in that opium den last night and saw the tragedy.” Prescott started at this, and looked uneasy. “You there?” “I was the man who took charge of the remains of that unfortunate lady.” “Is it possible—I never suspected I had seen you previous to our meeting in the car. What did you accomplish?” “The thing I desired. The world will never know that lady died anywhere but in her own house.” “Then you have done a good thing, sir.” “We detectives are employed to do deeds of mercy as well as those of justice and duty. I bid you good day, Mr. Prescott.” He had nothing more to say. The man was not one to argue with, and having made up his mind all the powers of heaven and earth could not change it. This Eric read on his face, and saw in his manner—Prescott was as stubborn as a mule in all he undertook, which perhaps in a measure accounted for his success. The detective was disappointed. He had hoped for much and gained nothing, since the other was so set in his ways as to be defiant. As Darrell had said there was nothing left now but to let matters run their course. The puzzle had become deeper than ever to him, and he now accepted it without any very strong attempt at solving the enigma. He could not understand how Lillian could love such a man as Prescott in preference to her husband, except on the theory that the artist possessed some terrible power over her which she was incapable of resisting. Sadly he left the building. The game must go on now to the inevitable conclusion—some one would get hurt, but that was to be expected. What he regretted most of all was the shock to poor Joe. Strange how such an honest, good fellow, making a husband beyond all reproach, should be thus afflicted. It often happens in life. Then men who deserve little are given wives a thousand times too good for them. All are not mated who are married, any more with regard to their character than in their stature—we often see a little man and a tall woman going along arm in arm and smile as we think how incongruous it seems, never reflecting that their natures may be more in harmony than the well-mated pair ahead. The detective believed that the guilty couple had some plan matured, and that they meant to make their flight that night. Indications pointed to it. He resolved then, to checkmate them, and make the thing a failure. Under no condition should Lillian be allowed to go forth. Eric endeavored to picture Joe’s wife in her confusion, when the mask was torn off. Would she prove a firebrand?