'
'Perhaps not,' said Ravengar, summoning his powers of self-control. 'But
the common outcry against murder is apt to be very inconvenient for the
person who chooses, as you put it, to end one incarnation and begin
another. Has it not struck you, Owen, that inquiries would be made for
me, that my death would be certain to be discovered, and that ultimately
you would suffer the penalty?'
'My arrangements for the future are far more complete than yours could
have been in regard to me,' Hugo answered smoothly. 'You betrayed some
clumsiness. I shall profit by your mistakes. No one will see you go into
the Safe Deposit except myself and a man whom I can trust. No one at all
except myself will see you go into the vault. I can manage the operation
alone. A little chloroform will quieten you for a time. The vault once
closed will not be opened during my lifetime, unless at four o'clock
to-morrow night I hear you knocking on the door. Of course, inquiries
will be made, but they will be futile. People often simply disappear.
You will simply disappear.'
The clock struck six.
'And your conscience?' Ravengar muttered.
'It's soon well under control. Besides, I shall be doing the human race,
and especially the investing part of the human race, a very good turn.
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