"Now," said Mr. Underwood, his faculties fully restored, "I want to know
the meaning of this; let us sift this whole thing to the bottom."
"Search your man, first, David," said Mr. Britton, and suiting the
action to the word he approached Walcott, but was warded off by the
woman standing near.
"No, no, Señor, a little turn of the wrist, so slight you would not see,
would cause death. I will take it from him; the viper dare not sting
me!"
As she extended her hand she tauntingly held her wrist close to the tiny
point, scarcely larger than a good-sized pin.
"Life and freedom are precious, Señor!" she said, in low, mocking tones,
as she took the weapon from him and handed it to Mr. Britton, who laid
it carefully on a table near by, and then proceeded to search Walcott's
clothing, saying.-"I want you to see what you have been dealing with, David."
To the stiletto already placed upon the table were added another of
larger size, two loaded revolvers, several packages of valuable
securities taken from the vaults of the firm that afternoon, and a
nearly complete set of duplicate keys to the safes and deposit boxes of
the offices.
Mr. Britton then relieved Kate, congratulating her warmly, and stationed
himself near Walcott, who glowered like a wild beast that, temporarily
restrained by the keeper's lash, only awaits opportunity for a more
furious onslaught later.
Kate stepped at once to her father's side; he turned upon her a look of
affectionate pride, but before he could speak, she had drawn forward her
companion, saying,-"Here is one, papa, to whom we owe much. She has saved your life
to-night, for I would not have known you were in danger if she had not
warned me, and she saved me from worse than death in preventing the
carrying out of the farce of an illegal marriage with that villain, by
giving me a glimpse of his real character before it was too late."
The change that passed over Mr. Underwood's countenance during Kate's
words was fearful to see. From the kindliness and courtesy with which he
had greeted the stranger his face seemed changed to granite, so hard
and relentless it became.
"An illegal marriage? What do you mean?" he demanded, and there was
something in his voice that no one present had ever heard there before.
"Illegal, papa, because this woman is his lawful wife." And Kate gave a
brief explanation of the situation.
"Is that so?" he appealed to the woman, his tones strangely quiet.
"Yes, Señor; I have the papers to prove it."
"Do you admit it?" he demanded of Walcott, with a glance which made the
latter quail, while his hand sought one of the loaded revolvers lying on
the table.