"I have never been accused of not having pluck, Clara. But there's another thing to be considered, and that's honor." "Oh, bosh!" cried Miss Greeby, with boyish vigor. "You love her and she loves you, so why not marry?" "I'm not worth paying two million for, Clara." "You are, if she loves you." "She does and would marry me to-morrow if I would let her. The hesitation is on my part." "More fool you. If I were in her position I'd soon overcome your scruples." "I think not," said Lambert delicately. "Oh, I think so," she retorted. "A woman always gets her own way." "And sometimes wrecks continents to get it." "I'd wreck this one, anyhow," said Miss Greeby dryly. "However, we're pals, and if there's anything I can do--" "Yes, there is," said Lambert abruptly, and making up his mind to trust her, since she showed plainly that there was no chance of love on her part destroying friendship. "I'm sick here and can't move. Let me engage you to act on my behalf." "As what, if you don't mind my asking, Lambert?" "As what you are for the moment, a detective." "Ho!" said Miss Greeby in a guttural manner. "What's that?" "I want you to learn on my behalf, and as my deputy, who murdered Pine." "So that you can marry Agnes?" "No. The will has stopped my chances in that direction. Her two million forms quite an insurmountable barrier between us now, as the fact of her being Pine's wife did formerly. Now you understand the situation, and that I am prevented by honor from making her my wife, don't let us talk any more on that especial subject." "Right you are," assented Miss Greeby affably. "Only I'll say this, that you are too scrupulous, and if I can help you to marry Agnes I shall do so." "Why?" demanded Lambert bluntly. "Because I'm your pal and wish to see you happy. You won't be happy, like the Pears soap advertisement, until you get it. Agnes is the 'it.'" "Well, then, leave the matter alone, Clara," said Lambert, taking the privilege of an invalid and becoming peevish. "As things stand, I can see no chance of marrying Agnes without violating my idea of honor." "Then why do you wish me to help you?" demanded Miss Greeby sharply. "How do I wish you to help me, you mean." "Not at all. I know what you wish me to do; act as detective; I know about it, my dear boy." "You don't," retorted Lambert, again fractious. "But if you listen I'll tell you exactly what I mean." Miss Greeby made herself comfortable with a fresh cigarette, and nodded in an easy manner, "I'm all attention, old boy. Fire away!" "You must regard my confidence as sacred." "There's my hand on it. But I should like to know why you desire to learn who murdered Pine." "Because if you don't track down the assassin, Agnes will get into trouble." "Ho!" ejaculated Miss Greeby, guttural again. "Go on."