"She will, now that her husband can no longer terrorize her. You are in a very awkward position. My advice to you--if you are really as innocent as you pretend to be--is to search out Mavis and hand over her income. After all, by the will, you need not account for what you have spent up to date, and you have had a long run for your money." "You say that, because you want the income yourself." "I could do with it, and when I marry Mavis I shall certainly insist upon justice being done to her. I would take her without a penny, as you well know, but I am not such a fool as to refuse six thousand a year along with a pretty, clever wife." "Well then, find Mavis, and we shall see," cried Rebb, quite out of temper, and throwing himself into a chair. "For you to accuse her when she is found? No, thank you. First I want to prove her innocence." "You will find that difficult." "Not with your help, Major." Rebb grew violent. "Damn you. I say that I believe the girl may be innocent, and surely I have exonerated myself." "I may think so, but the public----" "The public need never know anything about it. See here, Haskins, you love this girl, and you seem to think that she is still alive. Good. I make a bargain with you. Give me three thousand of this six thousand a year belonging to the Durham estate, and you can marry Mavis quietly, and take her to America, or the Colonies. No one will think to find the notorious Mavis Durham in Mrs. Gerald Haskins. Thus everything will be settled, and I can marry Mrs. Crosbie--as I greatly want to--with a quiet heart. What say you?" "I refuse your offer," said Gerald calmly. "Mavis shall have her character cleared, and shall have nothing or all of her income." Rebb rose and snapped his fingers. "Do your worst," he said, trying to suppress his anger. "Find Mavis and marry her. But be prepared for me to have her condemned for Bellaria's murder and shut up in an asylum." "I hope to prove her innocence," said Haskins quietly. "Even if you do," snarled Rebb, becoming reckless when he found himself so beset, "you may lose the money." "That is impossible: it belongs to Mavis." "To the real Mavis." Gerald rose, guessing that Rebb referred to the other twin. "What do you mean by that, Rebb?" "Mavis has a sister. Yes, you may look, but Charity Bird is the real Mavis--or at least I can prove it to be so." "There is a likeness between the girls, I admit," said Gerald, pretending ignorance, "but it is ridiculous to say that they are sisters." "They are twin sisters. Sit down and I'll tell you all about it. But that you can make so much mischief I should not say a word; but when you know the truth, for your own sake you may hold your tongue and give me half the income." Without a word Haskins resumed his seat, marveling at thus having been able to force Rebb's hand, without revealing his suspicions. The Major hastily swallowed another glass of claret, and began to speak in a hurry.