Then
he returned to his seat at the desk.
"This is all silly enough, Craig, but I might as well convince you both
now, as later, that I hold the cards. The lady may try a bluff, if she
is that kind, but it will be soon over."
We waited silently, and I endeavored swiftly to formulate a
satisfactory course of action. In spite of all my faith in her--which
could never waver--it was clearly evident this fellow had us helpless
in his grasp. If I was to become free to act it could only be by
yielding to his expressed desires, and apparently accepting his claims.
That this would separate me for the time from Mrs. Henley, alienate her
friendship, was a certainty. Yet I must risk all this even to be of
real service. The end would justify the means. We were confronted by
no common scoundrel, and here was a case where fire could only be
fought with flame. I did not for an instant believe he was Philip
Henley, yet he was apparently fortified with strong evidence to sustain
that claim. The very fact that he so strenuously denied that Philip
was married, convinced me he was an impostor, that he had never even
heard of this secret wedding. Probably the Judge had not mentioned it
while living, nor written any memoranda concerning it. Yet Neale knew,
and there could be no question as to the truth of the matter.
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