Comparing the words which Wardour had spoken to him while they were alone together with the words that had just passed in his presence, he could draw but one conclusion.

The woman whom Wardour had loved and lost was--Clara Burnham.

The man who had robbed him of her was Frank Aldersley.

And Wardour had discovered it in the interval since they had last met.
"Thank God!" thought Crayford, "the dice have parted them! Frank goes with the expedition, and Wardour stays behind with me." The reflection had barely occurred to him--Frank's thoughtless invitation to Wardour had just passed his lips--when the canvas screen over the doorway was drawn aside.

Captain Helding and the officers who were to leave with the exploring party returned to the main room on their way out.