"I think I do," and Rufus Sterne's face flushed slightly; "but you are thinking of a contingency that will never arise."
"Perhaps I am; but every contingency must be guarded against," and Felix Muller took off his glasses and wiped them meditatively. "You say you are confident of success, and I am bound to admit, from what I know of you and your scheme, I think your confidence is well founded. But you know as well as I do, that nothing is certain in this world but death."
"Well?"
"You may fail. Something may happen you cannot foresee."
"I grant it, as a remote—an exceedingly remote—possibility. But in such an event you will be covered by my life assurance policy."
"But you may live for another fifty years."
Rufus Sterne shook his head and smiled gravely.
"If I fail," he said, "I shall have no further use for life. You need be under no apprehension on that score. The money for which my life is insured will be paid into your hands without any unnecessary delay. I know the company."
"But it would be a direct contravention of the law, and would entitle the company to refuse——"
"My dear sir," Sterne interrupted, sharply, "there are many roads into the land of oblivion. Exits can be arranged, if the parties so desire, in a perfectly natural manner. You need not fear that trouble will arise on that score."