"I wish I had told him now," she said. "Oh, how I wish I had!"
She wrung her hands in an ecstasy of sorrow and remorse.

T. X. looked at her sympathetically. Then he asked,

"Did Mr. Kara ever discuss your husband's financial position with
you!"

"Never."

"How did John Lexman happen to meet Vassalaro!"

"I can tell you that," she answered, "the first time we met Mr.
Kara in England was when we were staying at Babbacombe on a summer
holiday - which was really a prolongation of our honeymoon. Mr.
Kara came to stay at the same hotel. I think Mr. Vassalaro must
have been there before; at any rate they knew one another and
after Kara's introduction to my husband the rest was easy.

"Can I do anything for John!" she asked piteously.

T. X. shook his head.

"So far as your story is concerned, I don't think you will
advantage him by telling it," he said. "There is nothing whatever
to connect Kara with this business and you would only give your
husband a great deal of pain. I'll do the best I can."

He held out his hand and she grasped it and somehow at that moment