nce more. "What is it that you are saying about Von Behrling's
death?"

Bellamy drew a little breath between his teeth. He leaned forward
with his hands resting upon the table.

"Do you mean to say that you do not know?"

"Upon my soul, no!" replied the Baron.

Bellamy threw open the newspaper before him.

"Von Behrling was murdered last night, ten minutes after our
interview."

CHAPTER XII

BARON DE STREUSS' PROPOSAL

The Baron adjusted his eyeglass with shaking fingers. His face now
was waxen-white as he spread out the newspaper upon the table and
read the paragraph word by word.

TERRIBLE CRIME IN THE CITY

Early this morning the body of a man was discovered
in a narrow passageway leading from Crooked Friars to
Royal Street, under circumstances which leave little
doubt but that the man's death was owing to foul play.
The deceased had apparently been stabbed, and had
received several severe blows about the head. He was
shabbily dressed but was well supplied with money, and
he was wearing a gold watch and chain when he was found.

LATER

There appears to be no further doubt but that the man
found in the entry leading from Crooked Friars had been
the victim of a particularly murderous assault. Neither
his clothes nor his linen bore any mark by means of which
he could be identified. The body has been removed to the
nearest mortuary, and an inquest will shortly be held.

Streuss looked up from the newspaper and the reality of his surprise
was apparent. He had all the appearance of a man shaken with emotion.
While he looked at his two companions wonderingly, strange thoughts
were forming in his mind.

"Von Behrling dead!" he muttered. "But who--who could have done
this?"

"Until this moment," Bellamy answered dryly, "it was not a matter
concerning which we had any doubt. The only wonder to us was that
it should have been done too late."

"You mean," Streuss said slowly, "that he was murdered after he had
completed his bargain with you?"

"Naturally."

"I suppose," the Baron continued, "there is no question but that it
was done afterwards? You smile," he exclaimed, "but what am I to
think? Neither I nor my people had any hand in this deed. How about
yours?"

Bellamy shook his head.

"We do not fight that way," he rep