"I don't see how it's to be managed," said Kaimes, reflectively.
"If it could be, would you surrender everything and----?"
"Yes, I would, for a quarter of the money. Then I'd go out of your life an' to Lima----"
"Lima," said Lady Jim, stopping suddenly. "Why to Lima? You've been there three times since we married."
"No end of a place, Lima," muttered Jim, feebly.
His wife looked at his colouring face attentively, and laughed in a short, rasping manner. An idea had occurred to her which she did not think it necessary to impart to Jim. "When you're legally dead," she said sharply, "I shall have no control over your life or movements. All I want to know is, if this business can be managed, will you do your share by disappearing?"
"Yes; but I don't see how----"
"Read that book, Jim, and you'll understand better. It gave me the idea, though our plot will be different in many ways."
"Well," said Jim, tucking the novel under his arm, "I'll dip into it."
"Don't let any one see you reading, and replace it in the library without any one knowing."