At any rate it seemed to give poor Joe some satisfaction to think he was able to circumvent the villain who had destroyed his peace of mind. “After all, it might be better for me to challenge that man, and kill him,” he said moodily. “Yes, or leave Lillian a widow, at the mercy of any adventurer. Besides, in that way the whole dreadful story would get into the papers, and you could not live in New York even if that artist failed to murder you. No, you will find that the plan we have arranged is the best after all.” “You are undoubtedly right, Eric—consider it settled, and prepare to carry it out. We will end this agony this night and that devil shall learn what he risks in attempting to steal another man’s treasure.” “You will not fail me, Joe?” “It shall be the effort of my life, Darrell, to succeed. Have no fears of me—my pride has been aroused. It is not the weak lover but the outraged husband who speaks now.” CHAPTER XIX THE TIME DRAWS NEAR For once Joe Leslie was thoroughly aroused, and the detective knew he need have no fears of him again. Whatever he was given to do he would carry out to the letter. So they noted with something of satisfaction that the day was drawing to a close, and the night coming on, for their hour could not be reached until darkness had for some time settled down over the great city. Both were anxious to have the thing over. It did not give them much pleasure, and all their satisfaction arose in the thought that justice and right would triumph when the man who had plotted against the peace of a home went down among his idols of clay. In these modern days men have to do strange things when the sanctity of their house has been invaded by a human serpent. Sometimes the stern arm of the law is called upon for assistance. Now and then, however, we read of some outraged husband going back to old time principles and being a law unto himself on such an occasion. Long ago they had a means of avenging such wrongs by meeting in the lists with lance or sword—in short, fighting a duel. The modern way is perhaps the best if least chivalric since it is all in favor of the man who has been wronged, and does not risk his life. We have seen that Joe was not modern in his ways. The last thing he desired on earth was to make his misery public. His love for his wife was wonderful—he only blamed the man who had gained such power over her mind as to make her irresponsible. Just as though there were wizards to-day—the times of Salem witchcraft have not returned to haunt us again, thank heaven. Joe really did believe—and the shrewd detective allowed the same idea to permeate his own mind to a certain extent—that it was a case where a weak mind was dominated by a masterful one. He had known such cases, and seen examples of hypnotism that had astonished him. Thus he excused Lillian.