"Oho!" and Hawbury opened his eyes.
"Well, she knew all about it; and, among other things, she gave me one piece of intelligence that has eased my mind."
"Ah! what's that?"
"Why, my wife is dead."
"Oh, then there's no doubt about it?"
"Not a bit. She died eight years ago, and in an insane asylum."
"By Jove! Then she was mad all the time."
"Yes; that accounts for it, and turns all my curses into pity."
Dacres was silent now for a few moments. At length he looked at Hawbury with a very singular expression.
"Hawbury, old boy."