ld,
so far as I am concerned."

"Why not open it and read it?" she suggested; "then you will know
exactly what it is all about. You can learn it by heart and tear
it up."

"I must think that over," he said. "One second before we go out."

He took from his pocket the revolver which Lassen had dropped. It
was a perfect little weapon, and fully charged. He replaced it in
his pocket, keeping his finger upon the trigger.

"Now, Zoe, if you are ready," he said, "come along."

They stepped out and entered the taxi, unmolested, and Laverick
ordered:

"To the Milan Hotel."

CHAPTER XXIX

LASSEN'S TREACHERY DISCOVERED

About twenty minutes past six on the same evening, Bellamy, his
clothes thick with dust, his face dark with anger, jumped lightly
from a sixty horse-power car and rang the bell of the lift at number
15, Dover Street. Arrived on the first floor, he was confronted
almost immediately by the sad-faced man-servant of Mademoiselle
Idiale.

"Mademoiselle is in?" Bellamy asked quickly.

The man's expression was one of sombre regret.

"Mademoiselle is spending the day in the country, sir. Bellamy
took him by the shoulders and flung him against the wall.

"Thank you," he said, "I've heard that before."

He walked down the passage and knocked softly at the door of Louise's
sleeping apartment. There was no answer. He knocked again and
listened at the key-hole. There was some movement inside but no
one spoke.

"Louise," he cried softly, "let me in. It is I--David."

Again the only reply was the strangest of sounds. Almost it seemed
as though a woman were trying to speak with a hand over her mouth.
Then Bellamy suddenly stiffened into rigid attention. There were
voices in the small reception room,--the voice of Henri, the butler,
and another. Reluctantly he turned away from the closed door and
walked swiftly down the passage. He entered the reception room and
looked around him in amazement. It was still in disorder. Lassen
sat in an easy-chair with a tumbler of brandy by his side. Henri
was tying a bandage around his head, his collar was torn, there
were marks of blood about his shirt. Bellamy's eyes sparkled. He
closed the door behind him.

"Come," he exclaimed, "after all, I fancy that my arrival is
somewhat opportune!"

Henri turned towards him with a reproachful gesture.

"Monsieur Lassen has been unwell, Monsieur," he said. "He has had
a fit and fallen down."

Bellam