that before we're out of this muddle. If you won't mind a bit of advice
from a man of experience, I would suggest that you take things easy. It's
the only way."

Shocked into silence by this cold-blooded philosophy, Mr. Ransom
controlled both his anger and his humiliation; but he could not control
his surprise.

"What does it mean?" he murmured to himself. "_What does it all mean?_"




CHAPTER III

"HE KNOWS THE WORD"


The next moment the doubt natural to the occasion asserted itself.

"How do you know all this? You state the impossible. Explain yourself."

Gerridge was only too willing to do so.

"I have just come from Mr. Fulton's house," said he. "Inquiries there
elicited the facts which have so startled you. Neither Mr. Fulton nor his
wife meant to deceive you. They knew nothing, suspected nothing of what
took place, and you have no cause to blame them. It was all a plot
between the two women."