"Thomas," she said, softly, "what is the meaning of this? I heard from one of your friends that you were dead." "All thought me so," he answered. "I was in a wild part of the country, where I had gone to make money for you and our child----" A sickly smile overspread her delicate countenance. "You left me to starve, and the child, too," she interrupted. "Let that be as it may," he rejoined, "I went away. You can put what construction you like on my actions." "Well, go on," she said, in a tone of resignation. "I'll admit," he continued, "that I was a drunkard and a gambler; but I wasn't that when I left you. I intended to do you good. A barroom quarrel nearly resulted in my death. I was badly shot, badly kicked and lost one of my eyes." Mrs. Smithers covered her face with her hands, as if she could conjure up the horrible scene and wished to shut it out. "How have you been living since?" she asked. "Heaven only knows. A friendly Indian took care of me till I got well, and then I waited till I could get square with my enemy." "And he?" "I slew him as I would a dog," said the man, Thompson. "He begged for his life like a whining girl, but I had him in a tight place, and he died by my hand." "Horrible!" she muttered. "Not at all. Didn't he disfigure me? I tell you that out West we consider ourselves entitled to satisfaction in cases of this kind." "Why did you come here, Thomas?" "To see you. I found out that you had married again, and knowing that you were my property, I thought I could make something out of you." "Your property?" she repeated. "Why, certainly. Does not a wife belong to her husband?" Mrs. Smithers groaned. "Do you wish to destroy me?" She asked. "Oh, dear, no! I'll own up that you made a mistake in marrying me--that I was always a bad husband, and that you were better without than with me. Further than that, I will confess that I don't blame you for taking the first chance that offered after you heard of my death, because you had to keep yourself and the child." "Then why persecute me, Thomas?" inquired Mrs. Smithers, raising her moist eyes to his. "Simply because I think that I can get something out of you. I am poor; 'dead broke' won't express my condition." "And if you can levy blackmail upon me, you will be satisfied?" "For a time, yes." CHAPTER VI. THE CONFIDENCE GAME. "You never were a good man," said Mrs. Smithers, looking down at the floor and moving her foot restlessly, "but I didn't think you would have become so bad as you have. However, I shall have to make a compromise with you. Name your terms." "Now you're talking," answered Thompson, with a smile of satisfaction. "In the first place, I want all the money and jewelry you can lay your hands on. You can say the house was robbed." "Yes, you shall have all," Mrs. Smithers replied. "Secondly, I must have Tommy." "For what?"