"My dear sir! It is not possible that such a thing
can happen."

"I conceive it very likely to happen," said George,



CHAPTER NINETEEN 263

"unless you get him out of the country before the
lady now installed here as his wife discovers the
truth."

"But she must not!" Keredec lifted both hands
toward Ward appealingly; they trembled, and his
voice betrayed profound agitation. "She cannot!
She has never suspected such a thing; there is
nothing that could Tnake her suspect it!"

"One particular thing would be my telling her,"
said Ward quietly.
"Never!" cried the professor, stepping back from
him. "You could not do that!"

"I not only could, but I wUl, unless you get him
out of the country — and quickly!"

"George!" I exclaimed, coming forward between
them. "This won't do at all. You can't "

"That's enough," he said, waving me back, and
I saw that his hand was shaking, too, like Keredec's.
