never hear the end of it."

"It can't leak out," said Hardy, "and if it does there is no direct
evidence. They will never really know until you die; they can only
suspect."

"Very well," said the shipbroker, with a half-indulgent, half-humorous
glance. "Anything to get rid of you. It's a crack-brained scheme, and
could only originate with a young man whose affections have weakened his
head--I consent."

"Bravo!" said Hardy and patted him on the back; Mr. Swann referred to the
base of his left lung, and he apologized.

"I'll have to fix it up with Blaikie," said the invalid, lying down
again. "Murchison got two of his best patients last week, so that it
ought to be easy. And besides, he is fond of innocent amusement."

"I'm awfully obliged to you," said Hardy.

"It might be as well if we pretended to quarrel," said the invalid,
reflectively, "especially as you are known to be a friend of Nugent's.
We'll have a few words--before my housekeeper if possible, to insure
publicity--and then you had better not come again. Send Silk instead
with messages."

Hardy thanked him and whispered a caution as a footstep was heard on the
landing. The door opened and the nurse, followed by the housekeeper
bearing a tray, entered the room.