or even five, days. Allow him to believe that you are again ready to be bled. That will disarm him."
"And then?" she asked, still without a muscle of her face moving, as she stood near the fire-place.
"Wait and see," I replied with a grim smile. "Remember that clean water may be placed in the ewer and the bottle, but nothing else on the wash-stand must be touched—nothing whatever."
"Your instructions shall be carried out to the very letter," she declared. "But what may I expect?"
"After five days you may expect the inevitable," I said. "And if it occurs, I can have my cheque at once—eh?"
"Certainly, the same day, I promise you. But—but if we fail?"
"No," I said. "We cannot fail. I have accomplished my part of the affair. The rest must be left to you to entertain your visitor, and disarm all suspicion."
"You are really very mysterious," she declared, with a laugh.
"Am I? Well, in such a case it is as well sometimes not to be too open. You will learn the result of my efforts quite quickly enough.
