"Ah! I see you are hesitating, Ena!" he laughed again.
"I am. It's a terrible plot!"
"Bah! Fancy you saying so—you! who have assisted to bring off so many little affairs that have brought us big money. Surely you're not growing squeamish now, at a moment when we are all in distinct peril?"
"No," she answered with an effort, for it was evident that the plan which he had placed before her had held her horrified. "No, I—I'm not—not at all squeamish, but—well—I'm wondering if we couldn't find some other way out of it."
"None. We're in danger, and we must take precautions to defend ourselves—at once—to-night!"
"Very well," she answered somewhat reluctantly. "I'll go round to Lilla about six."
"When we meet we shall do so as strangers, of course," he said, with a sinister smile. "Look your best—won't you?"
"Very well," she laughed, and five minutes later he sat down at the telephone in the room and spoke to his wife.
"All right, Lilla," he said. "Ena will be with you about six. I've told her exactly what we've arranged. I'm now going back to Hammersmith," and, after hanging up the receiver, he took leave of the Red Widow and went direct to Bridge Place.
Mrs. Felmore was surprised that her master should return so early, for he was at home before five. Marigold had not come in from the office, therefore he sent the deaf old woman out to the post, and, putting on his long white gown, took up to the attic the new tin kettle and some other things. But he did not obtain them from that cupboard in his room. He had purchased duplicates on his way home.