“You can’t deceive me, you scoundrel—​she is your wife.”

At this, Bill Rawton burst out into a loud laugh, which a little disconcerted the doctor.

“My wife,” cried Bill. “Why, doctor, you’re a little touched in the upper story, I’m thinking.”

“I say she is your wife.”

“Do you?”

“Yes.”

“And I say she’s not.”

“And never was?”

“And never was.”

“Well, my man, you have any amount of audacity—​that I frankly admit; but it won’t be of much service to you in this case. You have already acknowledged your name to be William Rawton.”