He knew by the quick intuitions of his nature that Mrs.Dinneford cherished an evil purpose, and had chosen him as the agent for its accomplishment.
She was rich, and occupied a high social position, and his ready conclusion was that, be the service what it might, he could make it pay.
To get such a woman in his power was worth an effort.
One morning--it was a few months after the date of the copartnership--Mrs.Dinneford received a note from Freeling.

It said, briefly, "At the usual place, 12 M.to-day.

Important." There was no signature.
The sharp knitting of her brows and the nervous crumpling of the note in her hand showed that she was not pleased at the summons.

She had come already to know her partner in evil too well.

At 12 M.she was in the hotel parlor.