? You adopted a singularly brutal
method of achieving your object, but I love such insolence in a man.
Therefore I forgave you. What have you to say to me?"

I perceive that I had to deal with a bold adventuress, with a
consummate actress, who, finding herself in a dangerous situation,
had adopted this daring line of defence, and now by her personal
charm sought to lure me from my purpose.

But with the scimitar of Hassan of Aleppo stretched over me, with
the dangers of the night before me, I was in no mood for a veiled
duel of words, for an interchange of glances in thrust and parry,
however delightful such warfare might have been with so pretty an
adversary.

For a long time I looked sternly into her eyes; but their violet
mystery defied, whilst her red-lipped smile taunted me.

"Unfortunately," I said, with slow emphasis, "you are protected by
my promise, made on the occasion of our previous meeting. But
murder has been done, so that honour scarcely demands that I respect
my promise further--"

She raised her eyebrows slightly.

"Surely that depends upon the quality of the honour!" she said.

"I believe you to be a member of a murderous organization, and
unless you can convince me that I am wrong, I shall act accordingly."

At that she leaned toward me, laying her hand on my arm.

"Please do not be so cruel," she whispered, "as to drag me into a
matter with which truly I have no concern. Believe me, you are
utterly mistaken. Wait one moment, and I will prove it."

She rose, and before I could make move to detain her, quitted the
room; but the door scarcely had closed ere I was afoot. The
corridor beyond was empty. I ran on. The lift had just descended.
A dark man whom I recognized stood near the closed gate.

"Quick!" I said, "I am Cavanagh of the Report! Did you see a lady
enter the lift?"

"I did, Mr. Cavanagh," answered the hotel detective; for this was he.

In such a giant inn as this I knew full well that one could come and
go almost with impunity, though one had no right to the hospitality
of the establishment; and it was with a premonition respecting what
his answer would be, that I asked the man--

"Is she staying here?"

"She is not. I have never seen her before!"

The girl with the violet eyes had escaped, taking all her secrets
with her!

CHAPTER IX

SECOND ATTEMPT ON THE SAFE

"You see," said Bristol, "the Hashishin must know that the safe
won't remain here unop