"After all, what is the good of hiding it from him?"
A laugh from Austin. "You think we ought to put him out of his misery at once?"
It was real! Those two were talking in flesh and blood on the terrace. They were talking of him. His misery! That had but one meaning. And the devil laughed! Unconsciously his grip tightened on the butt of the pistol. He listened.
"Yes," said Viviette. "It would be kinder."
"I stick to the birthday idea. It would be more dramatic."
"The damned villain!" Dick muttered.
"I want to-day," said Viviette.
"And I want to-morrow."
"You speak as if you were my lord and master," said Viviette, in the mocking tones Dick knew so well.
"No other man shall be if I can help it."