"Yes," I added, "you are concealing a secret from me, Muriel, and I, who am to be your husband, demand to know what it is. Tell me!" "If you had asked me this a few days ago," she answered, after a pause, "I could only have given you a negative answer. But I have overheard Mr Yelverton's confession to you, and now that I am strong again, I am determined that neither he nor you shall longer remain in doubt regarding the mystery surrounding Aline Cloud." "What is it?" I cried excitedly. "Tell us quickly." "No," she answered, with a wave of the hand. "In this affair we must exercise patience, or those who are guilty will assuredly escape us. Besides, we have to ensure our own safety also." "Our own safety!" Jack echoed. "What do you mean?" "Have I not narrowly escaped death?" she asked. "If we are not wary, another attempt, perhaps more successful, may be made." "You anticipate assassination because those who are guilty are aware that you are now in possession of their secret?" I cried. "Then let us act in union with care and discretion. What has caused you to preserve your silence until now?" "Circumstances which rendered my secrecy imperative," she answered. "Until now I only entertained suspicions; but these have been confirmed, therefore to me the truth is apparent. In order, however, for us to solve the mystery, it is necessary that you should both obey me implicitly, without asking any questions, for to some of your demands I should be compelled to give false answers. Trust in me, both of you, and I will reveal to you something stranger than you have ever dreamed." "We do trust you," we both answered with one accord. "I'm ready to act in any manner you direct," I added. "And you will not fear, even though a plot may be laid against your life?" she inquired with concern. "I fear nothing while I have my revolver in my pocket," I answered, as coolly as I could. "Both of us are ready and anxious to carry out any plan you may form." "But of what character is the plan?" asked the vicar, with natural caution. "It's Friday to-day," she observed, disregarding his question. "Tell me when Aline will next visit you." "On Sunday. She has written to-day saying that she will attend the service on Sunday evening." "You will preach?" she asked. "I don't know," he answered evasively. "I may be away." "You mean that by that time you may have resigned and left the Church," I said quickly. "No, Jack. Don't think of such a thing. Muriel know? more than she has told us, and if she will assist us, I have no doubt that the mystery will be cleared up, and the guilty brought to punishment." "Do you wish me to preach on Sunday?" Yelverton asked of my beloved. "Certainly," was her response. "But, tell me--she never remains after the evening service, does she?" "No, never," he replied. "By the time I'm out of the vestry she has always departed. It seems as though her quick, impetuous nature will not allow her to await me."