"What's that?" I almost shouted.
"I mean, how far would she be willing to go in this wife business?"
"God knows—but the whole way, I fancy."
"Would it be worth while to bluff her by pretending to acknowledge her claim and, then, inviting her to take her place at the head of your establishment?"
"Acknowledge her! Not for the millionth of a second."
"Oh, I mean only before witnesses who understood the scheme."
"You don't know the lady, Courtney," I answered. "She would call the bluff instantly—and do it so well the witnesses, themselves, would be deceived and turned against me."
He shrugged his shoulders. "Lotzen seems to be uncommonly lucky in his leading woman," he observed.
"The Devil usually helps his own," said I.
Then, I hastened to the Palace.