Before leaving Ed had again rifled the safe, thus disregarding for
a second time his explicit agreement with his wife. Of course, he
was welcome to whatever money he needed, even in excess of his
allowance; but his act showed his weak sense of honor and
strengthened Alaire's conviction that he was in every way rapidly
deteriorating. As yet she could not believe him really wicked at
heart--he had many qualities which were above the average--nor
could she convince herself that he had been criminally involved in
Tad Lewis's schemes. And yet, what other explanation could there
be? Ed's behavior had been extraordinary; his evident terror at
news of Dave Law's expedition, his conversation with Tad Lewis
over the telephone, his subsequent actions at the river, all
seemed to indicate that he had some vital interest in maintaining
the mystery of Guzman's death. What could it be?
Suspicions like these were extremely disturbing. In spite of
herself Alaire began to think more seriously about that separation
which Ed had so frequently offered her. Her whole nature, it is
true, recoiled at the thought of divorce; it was a thing utterly
repugnant to her sentiment and her creed--a thing that stood for
notoriety, gossip, scandal.
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