Page:In the name of a woman (1900).djvu/343

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spoke. I saw a look of cunning pass over his face as he agreed to what I said, and crossed to the writing-table. He thought he could easily disown the statement, and had been quick to perceive the use he could make of the facts against me. But he did not know the further plan I had, and he wrote out a clear statement exactly as I had required.

"Seal it with your private seal," I said when he had signed it, his handwriting throughout having been purposely shaky. He would have demurred, but I soon convinced him I was in no mood to be fooled with. "Your seal can't be disowned as a forgery," I said pointedly. "And now, as your hand has recovered its steadiness, you can write this again—this time, if you please, so that no one can mistake it;" and while he did this I watched him closely to prevent a similar trick.

"Good!" I exclaimed when all was finished. The second paper he had written I folded up carefully and placed in my pocket; the first I laid inside the dress of the dead woman, in such a position that anyone finding the body must see the paper.

"That will explain what has happened when the body is found," I said drily. "I want the facts made very plain." He looked at me with an expression of hate and fear and cunning combined.

"I must go; I am not well," he said.

"We are going together, General," I returned quietly. "I am willing to assume that you are so grateful to me for having saved your life, that in turn you wish to secure my safety. You have had me arrested once, your men have treated me like a felon, you have filled the roads with your agents until I cannot take a step without further fear of instant capture, and up to this moment you have sought my life with tireless