And then recognition
came--recognition in which there was also an element of terror.
"Jim!" she cried. "Jim! Oh! God!"
Her hands went to her throat. Her eyes seemed as though they would devour
me. Yet she was not wholly sure! I took her into my arms!
"It was another man whom they shot, Adele," I murmured. "It is I indeed,
dearest."
But I spoke as one might speak to the dead. Adele had fainted in my arms!
CHAPTER XXXIV
RIFLE PRACTICE
Adele was herself in a very few minutes. My cousin considerately slipped
out of the room. Directly she opened her eyes and found me kneeling by
her side, her color became more natural.
"Jim," she murmured, "how did you do it? Tell me how it is that you are
alive."
"A very simple matter," I answered. "I learned at Lenox all that I came
to America to find out. I wanted to return to England without creating
suspicion, so I hired a substitute to continue my trip."
"And he was killed?" she exclaimed.
"Yes!" I answered. "I insured his life, and I presume he knew his risks.
In any case, the life of one man was a small thing compared with--you
know what.
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