Mr. Rickaby, if you will do that you can leave the rest to me. Just find out for me where he goes, and I will then see what it will be best for me to do. Leave me to discover who the woman is. I—I should like to know—exclusively."

I told the truth. I did not want even a detective to possess himself of all my husband's secrets. To my surprise Mr. Rickaby seemed relieved.

"You will do this," I asked, "without going any farther?"

"Most willingly," he replied, "I will obey your instructions to the letter. It is to my interest to do so." That satisfied me.