ill
in my pocket a document of great importance. I have no doubt
whatever but that the object of the men who have taken my taxicab is
to leave me in the street here alone under circumstances which will
render a quick attack upon me likely to be successful."

The policeman turned his head and looked at Laverick incredulously.
He was more than half inclined to believe that this was a practical
joke. Were they not standing on the pavement in Chancery Lane, and
was not he an able-bodied policeman of great bulk and immense muscle!
Yet his companion did not look by any means a man of the nervous
order. Laverick was broad-shouldered, his skin was tanned a
wholesome color, his bearing was the bearing of a man prepared to
defend himself at any time. The constable smiled in a non-committal
manner.

"If you'll excuse my saying so, sir," he remarked, "I don't think
this is exactly the spot any one would choose for an assault."

"I agree with you," Laverick answered, "but, on the other hand, you
must remember that these gentlemen have had no choice. I stepped
from my office direct into the taxi, and I proposed to drive straight
from here to the place where I shall probably leave the other
document I am carrying with me. Why I have taken you into my
confidence is to ask you this. Can you walk with me to the corner
of the street, or until we meet a taxicab? it sounds cowardly, but,
as a matter of fact, I am not afraid. I simply want to make sure
of delivering this document to the person to whom it belongs."

The constable stood still, a little perplexed.

"My beat, sir," he said, "only goes about twenty-five yards further
on. I will walk to the corner of Holborn with you, if you desire
it. At the same time, I may say that I am breaking regulations.
How do I know that it is not your scheme to get me away from this
neighborhood for some purpose of your own?"

"You don't believe anything of the sort," Laverick declared, with
a smile.

"I do not, sir," the policeman admitted. "Keep by my side, and I
think that nothing will happen to you before we reach Holborn."

Laverick was a man of more than medium height, but by the side of
the policeman he seemed short. Both scanned the faces of the
passers-by closely--the police-man with mild interest, Laverick
with almost feverish anxiety. It was a gray afternoon, pleasant
but close. There seemed to be nothing whatever to account for the
feeling of nervousness which had su