“Go on, go on. Who was he?”
“Tom Gossett, the man whose false evidence secured my conviction. Hush!”
And even as the little cry rose to her lips, Gerard silenced it by pressing his own mouth long and tenderly against hers.
CHAPTER XXII
Both husband and wife were in a whirl of excitement so intense that for a little while they could do nothing, say nothing, but look at each other and exchange muttered and incoherent thanksgivings.
Then Gerard said:—
“Look here. We’re in a tight place still, though I think we shall get out of it. But we must be careful, very careful. And we must keep our mouths shut. Do you think you are clever enough to keep a straight face while I fall on the neck of Candover, and receive him as if he were a long-lost brother?”
“Oh, Gerard, could you?”
“Yes,” snarled Gerard. “I could do anything to bring to book the scoundrel who has pretty well wrecked my life and who tried his hardest to wreck yours!”
They had exchanged these words in whispers, and now they remained silent, keeping close together, and instinctively looking round them as if in fear of being overheard.