But here was a new phase; Mrs.
Mortimer, whom he had expected to use, and if necessary sacrifice, had suddenly turned vicious.

And he now hated her as coldly as he hated Major Belwether for betraying suspicions of a similar nature.

As for Plank, fear and hatred of him was becoming hatred and contempt.

He had the means of checking Plank if Mortimer did not drop dead before midnight.

There remained Sylvia, whom he had selected as the fittest object attainable to transmit his name.