'It's in this way. From what you've said of your husband's previous proceedings--we won't call them eccentricities, you might object.' 'I should object.' He smiled. 'I thought so. Well, from what you've said, it appears to be quite within the range of possibility that his absence may continue several weeks; even months. Under those circumstances one can easily understand how, as you yourself put it, you may become short of money. One moment!' He saw how words were trembling on the tip of my tongue, which it was all I could do to keep from tumbling off it. 'If that is, or should become, the case, I shall be very happy, while his absence continues, to make you an allowance.' 'To make me an allowance?' I stared. 'What allowance?' 'Well, shall we say, five pounds a week?' 'Five pounds a week?' I gasped. 'You'll allow me five pounds a week?' 'As I observed, to do so would give me genuine pleasure. I wish you to understand, Mrs. Merrett, that in me you have a sincere friend.' I believed it every moment less and less. 'Indeed, not only should I be willing to make you such an allowance, but I should be happy to see that your children are properly educated; particularly your boy.' 'You'll educate Jimmy?' 'Is that his name? I will see that he is educated. And, also, if you like, your little girl.' For a moment or two I struggled against a rush of words. There were so many things which seemed to want saying all at once. 'Mr. Howarth, what has my James to do with you?' 'To do with me? I don't understand.' 'Oh yes, you do. What is there between my James and you?' 'Nothing; absolutely nothing. We have gone into that before; is it necessary to do so again?' 'Listen to me, Mr. Howarth. You take my advice, be careful what you say. Here's my husband's portrait. You look at it; and when you've looked at it you tell me what there is between you two.' I handed him one of the heap off the table, which I had got out for Miss Desmond to see. He took it with a frown. 'So he was photographed? I shouldn't have thought he was that kind of man.' 'Then you're wrong. Because he was always being photographed.' 'It's not unlike him.' 'It's his very image. As you know very well.' He had got to the table and was taking up the likenesses one by one. 'There are a great many here. Do I understand you to say that there are others in existence?' 'Plenty.' 'Where are they?' 'That's my business. Answer my question if you please. Did you never see my James--the man whose likeness that is--before you saw him that Thursday afternoon at the Aquarium?' He looked me straight in the face and spoke as bold as brass. 'Never. To the best of my knowledge and belief, never.' 'That you swear?' 'I say it, Mrs. Merrett, on my honour, as a gentleman.'