"I think I understand," she said, her manner growing cold. "You have said as much before. Why can you not? It seems to me, if things be as you intimate, that the matter would be easily accomplished. You need only show firmness."
He thought haw little she understood. But he could not bear to enlarge upon it, and said nothing.
"There are houses enough, and to spare, in the world, Karl."
"Plenty of them."
"Then why not let the Maze be left?"
"More things than one are against it, Lucy. There are wheels within wheels," he added, thinking of Smith the mysterious agent. "One great element against it is the risk--the danger."
"Danger of exposure, do you mean?"
"Of discovery. Yes."
Never had Karl Andinnian and his wife been so near coming to an enlightenment on the misunderstanding that lay between them and their peace. It passed off--just as many another good word passes off, unsaid, in life.
"My hands are tied, Lucy. If wishing the Maze empty would effect it, it would be vacant to-morrow. I can do nothing."