Constance felt an arm grasp her tightly.

For a moment a chill ran over her at being caught in the nefarious work of breaking and entering a dwelling-house at night.
The hand was Anita's, but the voice was that of a man.
Lights flashed all over the house at once, from a sort of electric light system that could be instantly lighted and would act as a "burglar expeller." It was Douglas himself.

He was staring angrily at his wife and the stranger with her.
"Well!" he demanded with cold sarcasm.

"Why this--this burglary ?" Before he could quite take in the situation, with a quick motion, Constance struck a match and touched it to the papers in the fireplace.
As they blazed up he caught sight of what they were and almost leaped across the floor.
Constance laid her hand on his arm.

"One moment, Mr.Douglas," she said quietly.