"Whatever you may say, the case is bad enough," growled Tracey, and took a seat. Calvert did the same, and both pair of eyes were turned expectantly on the culprit. Fane began in a hurry, as though he was afraid lest the effect of the spirit should die out, and leave him powerless to finish his gruesome recital. "I am the husband of Flora Brand," he declared in a low voice, and with a flushed face, induced by shame at his position. "I met her five or six years ago--I forget the exact time--and married her." "Why did you call yourself Wentworth?" asked Arnold. Fane wriggled and looked down. "I hardly know," he said faintly. "I wanted----" he paused, then out came the truth with a violent effort. "I wanted two strings to my bow." "As how?" asked Tracey, watching him. "In this way. I met Flora in a crowd at some fireworks. She was in danger of being crushed. I rescued her. She was pretty, and I admired her. I followed up the acquaintance, and called on her mother." "As Wentworth?" "Yes! I--I----" here Fane wriggled again, and made an effort as though swallowing a lie. "I called myself Wentworth, because I didn't wish her to know my real name. For the same reason I said I was a commercial traveller." "I don't see the reason." "You will soon," said Fane, with a cynical look, for, as the brandy took more effect on him, he became bolder. "I had a small sum of money, and no occupation. If I wanted to be at ease, it was necessary that I should marry a rich woman. I wanted to leave a way of escape." "I see," said Tracey, in a tone of disgust. "You intended to marry Flora under your false name, so that should occasion offer, you might marry a wealthy woman under your real one." "Yes," said Fane calmly; "that was my intention. But I did not intend to marry Flora at all at first. Then I fell so deeply in love with her that I decided to ask her to be my wife. She told me of the money she expected from Brand in Australia, and of course that made me eager to marry her." "Then why did you take the name of Brand?" "One of my friends saw me in the neighbourhood, and I could no longer assume the name of Wentworth. Flora's mother was just dead, so I told her that I expected money from a man called Brand, who had the same name as the man in Australia." "You got the name from him?" "Yes "Well," said Calvert, "I don't see your reason for the change of name. Wentworth would have served quite as well to hide your contemplated villainy. I suppose you know, Mr. Fane, that even though you married Flora under a false name, the marriage holds good." Fane shivered. "Yes, I learned that from my lawyer when I went to see him about my marriage with Julia. I had no intention of committing bigamy. Circumstances were so strong----" "Oh, chuck that," said Tracey roughly; "get along with the yarn." "Fane looked angrily at the indignant face of the American, and obeyed. He had no alternative.