All Mrs.Clear wanted was the money, as--long since wearied of her drunken husband--she did not care if he lived or died.

Clear, on his part, knowing that he could not live long, was quite willing to play the part of Vrain on condition that he had plenty to eat and drink, and could live in idleness and luxury.

His wishes in this direction cost us a pretty penny, as he bought everything of the best.
"To this plot I refused consent until I saw how Vrain was: so when Ferruci brought him from Salisbury--where he was hiding--to London, I had an interview with him.

He proved to be so stupefied with drugs that he hardly knew me, so, seeing that my Lydia would get no good out of her life by being tied to such a husband, I determined that I would assist Ferruci, on the understanding, of course, that Vrain was to be well looked after in every way.

We agreed that when Clear died, and his body was identified as Vrain's, that the real man should be put in an asylum, which was--and I am sure every one will agree with me--the best place for him.
"All this being arranged, I went out to look for a house in a secluded part of the town, in which Clear--under the name of Berwin--should live until he died as Vrain.