"As clear as the murky darkness of this twin mystery can be made clear until Major Rebb confesses. Meanwhile, and until we can force that man's hand, we had better arrange what has to be done." It was Gerald who spoke. Mrs. Pelham Odin patted Mavis' hand, which she was holding in her own very fondly. "I lose one daughter to find another," she said cheerily. "Mavis can come back with me to my flat, and can wear some dresses which Charity has left behind. Then I'll teach her to dance, and in a couple of days she will be able to replace Charity at the Belver." "You are quite willing?" Gerald asked Miss Bird anxiously. "Of course I am," she answered quickly. "I am quite on your side." "Remember that Mavis is accused of being a lunatic and a murderess." "I know. My mother told me. But I don't believe it for one moment. I would as soon think myself capable of committing a crime." "I say the same," said Mrs. Pelham Odin. "I told you, Mr. Haskins, that I would wait until I saw Mavis before deciding. Now that I have seen her, I disbelieve all that Major Rebb says. And moreover, since the likeness is even stronger than you said between these two girls, I can promise you that the plot will be carried out safely." Gerald hesitated. "Will Mavis dare to face the footlights?" Mavis herself replied, and the brave blood of her soldier father flamed in her cheeks as his courage shone in her eyes. "I shall dare anything for your sake, Gerald," she declared, without faltering. "And Bellaria has taught me to dance--poor Bellaria!" she ended sadly. "It will be all right," said Mrs. Pelham Odin, who had been watching the girl critically. "It is a risk, of course, but as there is only one dance, and the child has courage, I do not think she will experience stage fright. I can teach her the dance." "No," interposed Charity quickly. "Let me do that. Mavis can come veiled to my lodgings, which are now at Kensington, and I can show her all the steps and tricks and manner necessary. I swear that when she is dressed as I was in _The Moon-Fay_, and dances as I shall teach her, no one will be a bit the wiser. And my engagement ends in a week or so; and it will not be necessary for her to continue to appear." Mrs. Pelham Odin nodded. "You must keep yourself quiet, Charity. No one must see you at Kensington. I can trust my old dresser, with whom I placed you there. To-night and to-morrow night you can go to the theatre, as usual. On the third night Mavis can appear." "And I shall see after Charity meanwhile," said Tod eagerly; "in five days we can get married, and I have bought a special license, so that no banns need be put up. Then we can go abroad." "But, Tod," said Gerald, somewhat dismayed, although he might have expected this course of conduct, "I want you to help me."