Then it was all rearranged,--the hapless Jim being
swept into promises which he could not break, even with death staring
his wife in the face. The agitated Mr. Dauntless drove back to the
hotel with a new set of details perfected. This time nothing should go
wrong.
His first action was to acquaint Derby with the plans, and then to
send a note of instructions to Eleanor, guarding against any chance
that they might not be able to communicate with each other in person.
"It's all fixed," he announced to Derby, in a secluded corner of the
grounds. "To-night at nine we are to be at the church down the road
there--see it? Nobody is on to us, and Jim has a key. He will meet you
there at a quarter of nine. But, hang it all, his wife can't act as a
witness. We've got to provide one. He suggested the postmaster, but I
don't like the idea; it looks too much like a cheap elopement. I'd
just as soon have the cook or the housemaid. I'll get Eleanor there if
I have to kill that Van Truder woman. Now, whom shall we have as the
second witness?"
"Windomshire, I'm afraid," lamented Derby. "You won't be able to get
rid of him.
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