now!--you'll have had plenty of information."

"They're acting on yours," I retorted. "Searching about Glasgow for Sir
Gilbert and Lady Carstairs--you put us on to that, Mr. Hollins."

"I had to," he answered. "Aye, I put Lindsey on to it, to be sure--and he
took it all in like it was gospel, and so did all of you! It gained time,
do you see, Moneylaws--it had to be done."

"Then--they aren't in Glasgow?" I asked.

He shook his big head solemnly at that, and something like a smile came
about the corners of his lips.

"They're not in Glasgow, nor near it," he answered readily, "but where
all the police in England--and in Scotland, too, for that matter--'ll
find it hard to get speech with them. Out of hand, Moneylaws!--out of
hand, d'ye see--for the police!"

He gave a sort of chuckle when he said this, and it emboldened me to come
to grips with him--as far as words went.

"Then what harm can I do you, Mr. Hollins?" I asked. "You're not in any
danger that I know of."

He looked at me as if wondering whether I wasn't trying a joke on him,
and after staring a while he shook his head.

"I'm leaving this part--finally," he answered. "That's Sir Gilbert's
brand-new car that's all ready for me down the stairs; and as I say,
whether it's storm or no storm, I must be away. And there's just two
things I can do, Moneylaws--I can lay you out on the floor here, with
your brains running over your face, or I can--trust to your honour!"

We looked at each other for a full minute in silence--our eyes meeting in
the queer, bluish light of the electric pocket-lamp which he had set on
the table before us. Between us, too, was that revolver--always pointing
at me out of its one black eye.

"If it's all the same to you, Mr. Hollins," said I at length, "I'd prefer
you to trust to my honour. Whatever quality my brains may have, I'd
rather they were used than misused in the way you're suggesting! If it's
just this--that you want me to hold my tongue--"

"I'll make a bargain with you," he broke in on me. "You'd be fine and
glad to see your sweetheart, Moneylaws, and assure yourself that she's
come to no harm, and is safe and well?"

"Aye! I would that!" I exclaimed. "Give me the chance, Mr. Hollins!"

"Then give me your word that whatever happens, whatever comes, you'll
not mention to the police that you've seen me tonight, and that whenever
you're questioned you'll know nothing about me!" he said eagerly.
"Twelve hours' start--a