He hung up, and Diana gave a sigh of content as she slowly returned to her den and the easy chair, where Mr. Mershone found her “coiled” some half hour later.

“This is a queer go,” said the young man, taking a seat and glancing around with knitted brows.  “It isn’t so long since dear Uncle Hedrik tumbled me out of here neck and crop; and now Cousin Diana invites me to return.”

At first glance young Mershone seemed an attractive young fellow, tall, finely formed and well groomed.  But his eyes were too close together and his handsome features bore unmistakable marks of dissipation.

“You disgraced us a year or so ago, Charlie,” said Diana, in her soft, quiet accents, “and under such circumstances we could not tolerate you.  You can scarcely blame us for cutting your acquaintance.  But now—­”

“Well, now?” he enquired coolly, trying to read her impassive face.

“I need the services of just such an unscrupulous and clever individual as you have proven yourself to be.  I’m willing to pay liberally for those services, and you doubtless need the money.  Are we allies, then?”

Mershone laughed, with little genuine mirth.

“Of course, my dear cousin,” he responded; “provided you propose any legal villainy.  I’m not partial to the police; but I really need the money, as you suggest.”

“And you will be faithful?” she asked, regarding him doubtfully.

“To the cause, you may be sure.  But understand me:  I balk at murder and burglary.  Somehow, the police seem to know me.  I’ll not do anything that might lead to a jail sentence, because there are easier ways to get money.  However, I don’t imagine your proposed plan is very desperate, Diana; it’s more liable to be dirty work.  Never mind; you may command me, my dear cousin—­if the pay is ample.”

“The pay will be ample if you succeed,” she began.

“I don’t like that.  I may not succeed.”

“Listen to me, Charlie.  Do you know Arthur Weldon?”

“Slightly; not very well.”

“I intend to marry him.  He has paid me marked attentions in the past; but now—­he—­”

“Wants to slip the leash.  Quite natural, my dear.”

“He has become infatuated with another girl; a light-headed, inexperienced little thing who is likely to marry the first man who asks her.  She is very rich—­in her own right, too—­and her husband will be a fortunate man.”

Mershone stared at her.  Then he whistled, took a few turns up and down the room, and reseated himself.

“Evidently!” he ejaculated, lighting a cigarette without permission and then leaning back thoughtfully in his chair.

“Charlie,” continued Diana, “you may as well marry Louise Merrick and settle down to a life of respectability.  You’ve a dashing, masterful way which no girl of her sort can long resist.  I propose that you make desperate love to Louise Merrick and so cut Arthur Weldon out of the deal entirely.  My part of the comedy will be to attract him to my side again.  Now you have the entire proposition in a nutshell.”