"Then understand me thoroughly. You will not ring up that curtain until I say so. Understand me—until I say so."
Gordon's tone clearly indicated something unusual. "What do you mean?" asked Weldon.
"Unless things go my way first, that curtain will never go up on this production," said Gordon, tensely. "Oh, don't worry," as he saw the other's face wrinkle. "I'll see that you personally don't lose anything by it. But if I am to pay the piper for this crazy starring scheme, I want some return for my money. Have the orchestra ring in as usual and play the overture. Have all the people ready in their costumes, and then, just before Martha Farnum steps upon that stage, I want to see her here. Do you understand?"
"I didn't before," answered Weldon, meaningly, "but I am just beginning to now."
Alone, Gordon clenched his hands nervously.
"I've given her everything she has wanted for the past three months," he murmured, "even this latest plaything—a theater and a company of her own—but I think we'll have a settlement to-night, my dear Martha; a little clearer understanding before the curtain rises on my latest folly."