"Oh, Mr. Craver has found that out, has he?" said Lady Wyke calmly. "I thought he wasn't clever enough. Yes, it was a false move on my part, and I'm going to tear up the will. It's of no use now. I only made it to try and get Mr. Craver to marry me. Well, then, I'm going up on Friday for that purpose, and will return on Saturday evening. But you must not see Mrs. Vence in the meantime, and I shall leave word that she is not to see you. When I return, then, in my presence, you can meet her and defend yourself." "It's all dashed rot!" cried Lemby, with disgust. "I never killed the man, nor did Craver." "Then who did?" "Might have been Mrs. Vence." "Rubbish! It was her interest to keep him alive. She lost a good situation by my husband's death remember." "It might have been Neddy. He was in the house all the time." "So Mrs. Vence says. But a boy like that--pooh!" "Might have been yourself." Lady Wyke laughed. "I was in London at the time, and can prove that I was. I don't think, however, that I'll be called upon to defend myself." "Why not?" said Lemby, significantly. "I might suggest that to Purse----" "And you will unless I agree to marry you," finished the woman, coolly. "That's right smart of you," Lemby assured her. "I came here to ask you to marry me. Craver won't have you; he set on Claudia." "I haven't lost all hope yet of getting him," said Lady Wyke through her clenched teeth, and looked at the man in a lowering way. "Shucks! There's no chance there. Marry me." "No. But I'll make a bargain with you." "What is it?" "If Edwin will not marry me he must be hanged. Help me to hang him, and I'll become your wife." Lemby was quite unmoved by this villainous proposal. "No, ma'am, that wouldn't be dealing square. I must think of my gal, you know. Try another man for the job. I'm no saint, but I draw the line at your suggestion." "I shall try no other man," cried Lady Wyke, standing up and smiling strangely; "and, indeed, I need no assistance. I can prove Mr. Craver's guilt. Mrs. Vence is coming down, Neddy is coming down, and I have him in a trap. If Mr. Craver is not in gaol by Monday afternoon----" "Well, ma'am?" Questioned the pirate, roughly, and bending forward. "I'll marry you when and where you like." "It's a bargain," said Lemby, gruffly; "and I'll twist your neck if you break it." CHAPTER XXIII.