rder of Rudolph Von Behrling! That I swear! That I shall
see to myself!"

"In which case," Laverick remarked, "the document will fall into the
hands of the English police."

The shot told. Laverick could have laughed as he watched its effect
upon his listener. Mr. Lassen's face was black with unuttered
curses. He looked as though he would have fallen upon Laverick
bodily.

"What do you know about its contents?" he hissed. "Why do you
suppose it would not suit my purpose to have it fall into the hands
of the English police?"

"I can see no reason whatever," Laverick answered, "why I should
take you into my confidence as to how much I know and how much I do
not know. I wish you good afternoon, Mr. Lassen! I shall be ready
to wait upon Mademoiselle Idiale at any time she sends for me. But
in case it should interest you to be made aware of the fact," he
added, with a little bow, "I am not going round with this terrible
document in my possession."

He moved to the door. Already his hand was upon the knob when he
saw the movement for which he had watched. Laverick, with a single
bound, was upon his would-be assailant. The hand which had already
closed upon the butt of the small revolver was gripped as though
in a vice. With a scream of pain Lassen dropped the weapon upon
the floor. Laverick picked it up, thrust it into his coat pocket
and, taking the man's collar with both hands, he shook him till
the eyes seemed starting from his head and his shrieks of fear were
changed into moans. Then he flung him into a corner of the room.

"You cowardly brute!" he exclaimed. "You come of the breed of men
who shoot from behind. If ever I lay my hands upon you again,
you'll be lucky if you live to whimper about it."

He left the room and rang for the lift. He saw no trace of any
servants in the hall, nor heard any sound of any one moving. From
Dover Street he drove straight to Zoe's house. Keeping the cab
waiting, he knocked at the door. She opened it herself at once,
and her eyes glowed with pleasure.

"How delightful!" she cried. "Please come in. Have you come to
take me to the theatre?"

He followed her into the parlor and closed the door behind them.

"Zoe," he said, "I am going to ask you a favor."

"Me a favor?" she repeated. "I think you know how happy it will
make me if there is anything--anything at all in the world that I
could do."

"A week ago," Laverick continued, "I was an honest but