“Yes?” he replied quizzically.

“Perhaps,” she continued, coming nearer to the point of her self-imposed mission, “perhaps there may be some other way to settle this case than through Mr. Drummond.”

“We might hold you,” he shot out quickly.

“No,” she replied, “you have nothing on me.  And as for Mr. Mackenzie, I understand, you don’t even know where he is—­whether he is in New York, London, Paris, or Berlin, or whether he may not go from one city to another at any moment you take open action.”

Wickham bit his lip.  He knew she was right.  Even yet the case hung on the most slender threads.

“I have been wondering,” she continued, “if there is not some way in which this thing can be compromised.”

“Never,” exclaimed Wickham positively.  “He must return the whole sum, with interest to date.  Then and only then can we consider his plea for clemency.”

“You would consider it?” she asked keenly.

“Of course.  We should have to consider it.  Voluntary surrender and reparation would be something like turning state’s witness—­against himself.”

Constance said nothing.

“Can you do it?” he asked, watching craftily to see whether she might not drop a hint that might prove valuable.

“I know those who might try,” she answered, catching the look.

Wickham changed.

“What if we should get him without your aid!” he blustered.

“Try,” she shrugged.

Arguments and threats were of no avail with her.  She would say nothing more definite.  She was obdurate.

“You must leave it all to me,” she repeated.  “I would not betray him.  You cannot prove anything on me.”

“Bring the stuff up here yourself, then,” he insinuated.

“But I don’t trust you, either,” she replied frankly.

The two faced each other.  Constance knew in her heart that it was going to be a battle royal with this man, that now she had taken a step even so far in the open it was every one for himself and the devil take the hindmost.

“I can’t help it,” he concluded.  “Those are the terms.  It is as far as I can trust a—­a thief.”

“But I will keep my word,” she said quietly.  “When you prove to me that you are absolutely on the level, that Mackenzie can make restitution in full with interest, and in return be left as free a man as he is at this moment—­why,—­I can have him give up.”

“Mrs. Dunlap,” said Wickham with an air of finality, “I will make one concession.  I will adopt any method of restitution he may prefer.  But it must be by direct dealing between Mackenzie and myself, with Drummond present as well as Mr. Taylor, president of the Trust Company, who is now also in New York.  That is my ultimatum.  Good-afternoon.”

Constance left the room with flushed face and eyes that glinted with determination.  Over and over she thought out methods to accomplish what she had planned.  When they complied with all the conditions that would safeguard Mackenzie, she had determined to act.  But Graeme must be master of the situation.