“Of course, if you are going to be nasty about it—­” began Saunders in a huff.

“I can’t see anything nasty about it,” said Browne.  “I’ll admit that our wife and our husband may decide to be stubborn and unreasonable, but it sounds rather attractive to me.”

“Robert!” from his wife.

“He’s only joking, Mrs. Browne,” explained Deppingham magnanimously.  “Now, let me understand you, Saunders.  You say they can be married according to the customs—­which, I take it, are the laws—­of the islanders.  Wouldn’t they be remanded for bigamy sooner or later?”

“They don’t bother the Mormons, do they, Mr. Browne?” asked Saunders triumphantly.  “Well, who is going to object among us?”

“I am!” exclaimed Deppingham.  “Your plan provides Browne with two charming wives and gives me but one.  There’s nothing to compel Mrs. Browne to marry me.”

“But, my lord,” said Saunders, “doesn’t the plan give Lady Deppingham two husbands?  It’s quite a fair division.”

“It would make Lord Deppingham my husband-in-law, I imagine,” said Drusilla quaintly.  “I’ve always had a horror of husbands-in-law.”

“And you would be my wife-in-law,” supplemented Lady Agnes.  “How interesting!”

“Saunders,” said Deppingham soberly, “I must oppose your plan.  It’s quite unfair to two innocent and uninvolved parties.  What have we done that we should be exempt from polygamy?”

“You are not exempt,” exclaimed the harassed solicitor.  “You are merely not obliged to, that’s all.  You can do as you choose about it, I’m sure.  I’m sorry my plan causes so much levity.  It is meant for the good of our cause.  The will doesn’t say how many wives Mr. Browne shall have.  It simply says that Agnes Ruthven shall be his wife.  He isn’t restricted, you know.  He can be a polygamist if he likes.  I ask Mr. Britt if there is anything in the document which specifically says he shall not have more than one wife.  Polygamy is quite legal in the United States, and he is an American citizen.  I read about a Mormon chap marrying a whole Sunday-school class not long ago.”

“You’re right,” said Britt.  “The will doesn’t specify.  But, my dear Saunders, you are overlooking your own client in this plan.”

“I don’t quite understand, Mr. Britt.”

“As I understand the laws on this island—­the church laws at least—­a man can have as many wives as he likes.  Well, that’s all very well for Mr. Browne.  But isn’t it also a fact that a woman can have no more than one husband?  Lady Deppingham has one husband.  She can’t take another without first getting rid of this one.”

“And, I say, Saunders,” added Deppingham, “the native way of disposing of husbands is rather trying, I’ve heard.  Six or seven jabs with a long knife is the most approved way, isn’t it, Britt?”

“Imagine Lady Deppingham going to the altar all covered with gore!” said Britt.