the window to the room was closed so that robert could not hear what the four men said.

he, however, saw them talking earnestly, and then saw one of the strangers, probably the doctor who ran the asylum, bring out a legal-looking document. this frederic vernon urged dr. remington and the second stranger to sign.

"it must be the certificate to prove that mrs. vernon is insane," thought robert. "i believe such a document has to be signed by two doctors, and frederic vernon is urging remington and that other physician to do the dirty work for him." robert's surmise was correct, as later events proved.

remington did not wish to give the certificate until he was certain that frederic vernon would pay over the ten thousand dollars which had been promised to him.

"i've got to have my pay," he said, in a low but earnest manner.

"you'll get it," returned vernon. "you can trust me."

"humph! i trusted you before," growled the doctor.

"well, you know why i went off--merely to induce my aunt to return to chicago."

"your money will be safe."

"and how about my money?" put in the second physician.

"you shall be paid, dr. carraway."

"you must remember that it is a ticklish business, this signing a certificate when the party isn't--ahem--just as bad as she might be."

"and i must have my money," put in dr. rushwood. "i am running a risk, too."

"what risk will you run if you have your certificate?" questioned frederic vernon. "you can fall back on that in case of trouble."

"mrs. vernon's friends may have us all arrested for conspiracy. it's a big risk."

"well, every man of you shall be paid," said frederic vernon. "as soon as the excitement of the affair blows over, i'll take charge of all my aunt's property and then i'll have money to burn, and lots of it. why, she's worth half a million."

so the talk ran on, until dr. remington and dr. carraway agreed to sign the certificate, and did so. this paper was then turned over to dr. rushwood, who placed it on file in his safe. following this the keeper of the asylum brought out some wine and cigars, and half an hour was spent in general conversation.

then frederic vernon said he would like to talk to his aunt for awhile.

dr. rushwood led the way to an apartment on the third floor. the room had once been well furnished, but the furnishings were now dilapidated, the carpet being worn threadbare and the furniture being scratched and broken. one small window lit up the apartment, and this was closely barred.

frederic vernon knocked on the door, but received no answer.

"can i come in, aunt?" asked the young spendthrift.

at once there was a rustle in the room.

"yes, frederic, come in," came in mrs. vernon's voice.

dr. rushwood opened the door and the young man entered. then the doctor locked the door again.

"when you want to get out just call me," he said significantly, and walked away.

"frederic, what does this mean?" demanded mrs. vernon. by her face it was plain to see that she had been weeping.

"don't excite yourself, aunt," responded the young rascal soothingly. "it is all for the best."

"what is for the best?" demanded the lady.

"that you are here."

"but i do not wish to be here, and you have no right to place me here."

"it is for your good, aunt."

"i understand you, frederic, but let me tell you your wicked plot against me shall not succeed."

"i have no plot against you, aunt. if you wish to know the truth, let me tell you that your mind is not just what it should be. for a long while you have imagined that i was your enemy, while all your friends know that i have been your best friend."

"indeed! were you my friend when you forged my name to that check for six hundred dollars?"

frederic vernon winced, but quickly recovered.

"you do me a great injustice when you say i forged your name. i was never guilty of any such baseness."

"i know better."

"that is only another proof of your hallucination, aunt. but the doctor says if you will submit to his treatment you will be quite cured in a few months."

"i need no treatment, for my mind is as clear as yours, perhaps clearer. i want you and those wicked men who helped place me here to let me go."

"such a course is impossible, and you must make yourself content with your surroundings. the room is not furnished as nicely as you may wish, but i will have all that changed in a day or two, as soon as i can get my other affairs straightened out."

"you will profit nothing by your high-handed course, frederic. in the past i have been very indulgent toward you, but if you insist upon keeping me here against my will, when once i do get free i will let the law take its course."

the lady spoke so sharply and positively that frederic vernon was made to feel decidedly uncomfortable. he had carried matters with a high hand, and he realized that should the game go against him, the reckoning would be a bitter one.

"i would let you go, aunt, but i am certain i am acting for your own good. and now i want to talk business to you."

"if you do not give me my freedom i do not wish to say another word," answered the lady shortly.

"you must give me the combination of your safe."

"so that you can rob me again, eh? no, i will do nothing of the sort."

frederic vernon's face grew dark.

"you had better not defy me, aunt. i am bound to have the combination sooner or later."

"you will not get from me. nor from robert, either, i am thinking."

"i will get it somehow."

"will you send robert or mr. farley to me?"

"i cannot do that--just yet."

"why not--if you are honest in your actions toward me?"

"because it is against the doctor's orders. he says you must remain very quiet. it is the only hope of restoring you to your full mental health again."

"very well then, frederic. but remember what i said. if i ever get away again you shall suffer the full penalty of the law."

"you won't give me that combination?"

"no."

mrs. vernon remained obdurate, and a little while later the young man called dr. rushwood.

"you must be careful and watch her closely," said frederic vernon to the keeper of the asylum, as the pair walked downstairs. "she is clever, and will try to get the best of you if she can."

dr. rushwood smiled grimly.

"don't worry about me, vernon," he replied. "i've never yet had one of them to get the best of me."

"i am afraid it will take several days to break her down. at present i can do nothing with her."

"perhaps i had better put her on a diet of bread and water. that sometimes fetches them," suggested the keeper of the asylum brutally.

"i am afraid she may do something desperate. she is a nervous, high-strung woman, remember."

"i've had all kinds to deal with, and i never miss it in judging them. you just leave the whole thing to me. when will you come again?"

"that must depend upon circumstances. perhaps to-morrow afternoon."

"will you take charge of her affairs at once?"

"i must feel my way before i do that. you see my aunt had a private secretary. he is nothing but a boy, but he may cause us a lot of trouble."

"better discharge him at once, then, and make him turn over all his private business to you."

"that is what i intend to do."

"you said something about getting the combination of her safe."

"she wouldn't give it to me. but it won't matter so much. i can get an expert to open the safe--after i have sent that private secretary about his business," concluded frederic vernon.