Cora hesitated, and Davlin moved uneasily. "Don't think that you will damage your cause by making a full statement," suggested Miss Payne, meaningly. "Answer my questions, please." Again Cora glances at Davlin. Then turning toward Madeline she assumes an air of defiant recklessness, and answers the questions promptly. "I came at Lucian Davlin's suggestion, and because he had induced me to think that I could easily become--what I am." "And that is--" "Mrs. Arthur, of Oakley!" with a mocking laugh. The old man in the chair utters a loud groan, but no one heeds him. All eyes are fixed upon Madeline and Cora. "You plotted to become John Arthur's wife?" pursues Madeline, relentlessly. "Yes." "And--his widow?" No reply. "You planned to keep him a prisoner?" "Yes." "And Lucian Davlin, your pretended brother, was your accomplice?" "Yes." Madeline turns swiftly toward her step-father, as she does so moving nearer toward Edward Percy. "John Arthur, are you satisfied?" she asks, sternly. "Shall the knowledge of your disgrace go beyond this room? Do you choose to remain here and be pointed at by every boor in Oakley, as the man who married an adventuress, a gambler's accomplice? or will you accept my terms?" John Arthur lifts his head, then staggers to his feet. "Curse you!" he cries. "Curse you all! What proof have I that these people will respect my feelings?" "You have my word," replies the girl, coolly. "These gentlemen of the Secret Service are not given to gossip. Mr. Davlin will have but little opportunity for circulating scandal where he is going. Mr. Percy, and your wife, will hardly remain in the neighborhood long enough to injure you here, unless by your own choice. Your sister will scarcely betray you, and the rest are my friends. Choose!" Pallid with rage and shame, the old man turned toward Cora. "You she-devil!" he screams, "this is your work--" "No," interposes Madeline, calmly, "it is _your_ work, John Arthur! What you have sown, you are reaping. Will you have all your guilty past, your shameful present, made known? Or will you leave my mother's home and mine, and cease to usurp my rights? Choose!" Every eye is turned upon the old man and his questioner. Every ear is intently listening for his answer. Every ear, do we say? No; one man is only feigning rapt attention; one mind is turning over wicked possibilities, while the others await, with different degrees of eagerness or curiosity, John Arthur's answer. "Needs must when the devil drives," says the baffled old man, turning toward the door. "I will go, and I leave my curse behind me!" This is the moment which Lucian Davlin has watched. While all eyes are turned toward John Arthur, he bends suddenly forward. He has wrenched the pistol from one of his guardians, and the weapon is aimed at Madeline's heart!