Jadby sprang to his feet. "Not my property?"
"No. I fear that Dr. Horace has not informed you that Agstone brought the will, leaving everything to Miss Chent, to him, and that he has restored it to the lady. You are a pauper, Captain Jadby. Miss Chent has the money, and shortly she will have me as her husband."
Jadby took scarcely any notice of Prelice, important as was the matter he talked about. "Horace," he cried, glaring viciously, "you have played me false."
"I never intended to play you true," said Horace contemptuously.
"Then I shall ruin Haken," cried Jadby, at his wits' end with sheer rage.
"Do so," said Prelice, walking to the door. "I decline to be blackmailed. Good-day." And he walked out.
After him came Madame Marie before he could descend the stairs. She gripped him by the arm earnestly, and looked into his face. Prelice could hear the captain and Horace quarrelling desperately in the room he had left, but waited patiently until the woman spoke.
"Swear to me," panted Madame Marie, "that Jadby will never, never marry that girl, and I will help you."
"In what way?"
"For one thing, I shall stop Felix from denouncing your uncle."