"Then, in the meantime, I will exercise my woman's diplomacy to effect peace between Ethelwynn and the doctor," she said. "It is the only way by which we can obtain security." "For the life of me I can't discern the reason of his coolness towards her," remarked my "dead" patient. "He suspects her." "Of what?" "Suspects the truth. She has told me so." Old Henry Courtenay grunted in dissatisfaction. "Hasn't she tried to convince him to the contrary?" he asked. "I was always under the impression that she could twist him round her finger--so hopelessly was he in love with her." "So she could before this unfortunate affair." "And now that he suspects the truth he's disinclined to have any more to do with her--eh? Well," he added, "after all, it's only natural. She's not so devilish clever as you, Mary, otherwise she would never have allowed herself to fall beneath suspicion. She must have somehow blundered." "To-morrow I shall go to town," she said in a reflective voice. "No time should be lost in effecting the reconciliation between them." "You are right," he declared. "You should commence at once. Call and talk with him. He believes so entirely in you. But promise me one thing; that you will not go to Ethelwynn," he urged. "Why not?" "Because it is quite unnecessary," he answered. "You are not good friends; therefore your influence upon the doctor should be a hidden one. She will believe that he has returned to her of his own free will; hence our position will be rendered the stronger. Act diplomatically. If she believes that you are interesting yourself in her affairs it may anger her." "Then you suggest that I should call upon the doctor in secret, and try and influence him in her favour without her being aware of it?" "Exactly. After the reconciliation is effected you may tell her. At present, however, it is not wise to show our hand. By your visit to the doctor you may be able to obtain from him how much he knows, and what are his suspicions. One thing is certain, that with all his shrewdness he doesn't dream the truth." "Who would?" she asked with a smile. "If the story were told, nobody would believe it." "That's just it! The incredibility of the whole affair is what places us in such a position of security; for as long as I lie low and you continue to act the part of the interesting widow, nobody can possibly get at the truth." "I think I've acted my part well, up to the present," she said, "and I hope to continue to do so. To influence the doctor will be a difficult task, I fear. But I'll do my utmost, because I see that by the reconciliation Ethelwynn's lips would be sealed." "Act with discretion, my dear," urged the old man. "But remember that Boyd is not a man to be trifled with--and as for that accursed friend of his, Ambler Jevons, he seems second cousin to the very King of Darkness himself." "Never fear," she laughed confidently. "Leave it to me--leave all to me."