“It strikes me that he’d be giving up a heap more if he married her.�

“You forget what you said three days ago about her eyes—in case Adelina wasn’t around to keep tabs on you,â€� smiled the detective.

“Well, if Lynne isn’t the sort of a man to give up, I don’t see where your argument is any good. He certainly wouldn’t give up to a woman like that, when he knows——â€�

“In the first place, Patsy, I have not advanced any argument. I have merely said that it is the only way—her only way, now.â€�

“Well, he doesn’t have to marry her, does he?�

“I don’t know. She is a fascinating woman. There is a witchery about her that is almost beyond belief. Lynne is a sick man; he has been a sick man for a long time.�

“His mind is strong enough.�

“I know that; but he is physically weak, just now; and physical weakness renders mental opposition in a thing of this kind less strong—more easily assailed. My fear is that she will break down his opposition in the end, if she has time enough.â€�

“Well, maybe so; only she won’t do it by threats, if I am any judge of character.�

“No, she will do it by her witchery; she will do it with her eyes, which are hypnotic—and please understand that in using that term I do not mean to imply that she will actually hypnotize him. She will merely influence him.â€�