"Then their suspicion must be at once removed, my dear Bernie!" said the woman, in a decisive voice. "We are, I see, confronted with a very grave peril." "I agree. Lionel will be wondering why I’ve not been up to see him since Sunday. I shall go up this afternoon, before the girl comes back from the bank. I’ve got a lot of stuff to take up to him. He’s got no kettle, poor chap!" "Ah! What a life he must lead," said the woman. "It is his own fault. He was too curious—and he got the worst of it, as they all do!" "But he was quite harmless. This fellow Durrant is our enemy." "And he must be treated as such. I’ve found out a lot about his movements," said Boyne. "You quickly find out about people, Bernie. You’re really wonderful." "Not very wonderful, Ena," he laughed. "I simply went a few days ago to Chalmers, the private inquiry agent in Regent Street who has done work for me often. I told him I had lent young Durrant money, and wanted to know something of his habits and of his friends. This morning I had a long confidential report about him. He lives out at Ealing." "A pity you allowed the girl to stay with her aunt. Why ever did you do so?" "Well, if she wished to walk into a trap, then it surely wasn’t my business to keep her out of it—was it?" he asked, with a sinister smile. "I knew the reason why she had so suddenly been deprived of her room at Wimbledon Park, and allowed her to think that I was a fool." "She’ll no doubt know different ere long," laughed the Red Widow. Then, opening the door, Boyne satisfied himself that there was no servant in the passage, and returning to her, he began to speak rapidly in a low, tense voice. "What?" she asked breathlessly, when he had finished. "To-night?" "Yes, to-night—why not?" he asked. "Wear one of your smartest black dresses. Come round and see Lilla. Then you and she can arrange things." "But, Bernard! It’s a most desperate game!" "Not more so than any other," he laughed. "A dangerous situation always calls for drastic measures." "But will the trap be sufficiently well-baited?" "I’ll see to that—never fear! Just act as I tell you and to-morrow we shan’t have much to fear from at least one of this inquisitive pair!" For a few minutes she seemed lost in thought. "Ah! I see you are hesitating, Ena!" he laughed again. "I am. It’s a terrible plot!" "Bah! Fancy you saying so—you! who have assisted to bring off so many little affairs that have brought us big money. Surely you’re not growing squeamish now, at a moment when we are all in distinct peril?" "No," she answered with an effort, for it was evident that the plan which he had placed before her had held her horrified. "No, I—I’m not—not at all squeamish, but—well—I’m wondering if we couldn’t find some other way out of it." "None. We’re in danger, and we must take precautions to defend ourselves—at once—to-night!" "Very well," she answered somewhat reluctantly. "I’ll go round to Lilla about six."