The scheme--which was entirely invented by the Count--was as follows: "Ferruci said that in a minor London theatre he had seen an actor called Clear, who was wonderfully like Vrain, save that he had no scar on the cheek, and had a moustache, whereas Vrain was always clean-shaved.

He had made the acquaintance of the actor--Michael Clear was his full name--and of his wife.

They proved to be hard up and mercenary, so Ferruci had no difficulty in gaining over both for his purpose.

For a certain sum of money (which was to be paid to Mrs.Clear when her husband was dead and the Count, married to Lydia, was possessed of the assurance money) Clear agreed to shave off his moustache and personate Vrain.

Ferruci, who was something of a chemist, created by means of some acid a scar on Clear's cheek like that on Vrain's, so that he resembled my son-in-law in every way save that he had lost one little finger.
"Ferruci wanted me to join him in the conspiracy so that I could watch Clear impersonating Vrain, while he himself kept his eye on the real Vrain, who was to be received into Mrs.Clear's house at Bayswater and passed off as her husband.