abourer who was picked up by Farrington some years ago to serve his
purpose. He is the man who unknowingly poses as a millionaire. It is his
estate which Farrington is supposed to be administering. You see," he
explained, "this rather takes off the suspicion which naturally attaches
to a house which nobody visits, and it gives the inmates a certain
amount of protection."

"That I understand," said T. B.; "it is, as you say, an ingenious
idea--what of Fall?"

Poltavo shrugged his shoulders.

"You know as much of him as I. There are, however, many things which
you may not know," he went on slowly, "and of these there is one which
you would pay a high price to learn. You will never take Farrington."

"May I ask why?" asked T. B. interestedly.

"That is my secret," said the other; "that is the secret I am willing to
sell you."

"And the price?" asked T. B. after a pause.

"The price is my freedom," said the other boldly. "I know you can do
anything with the police. As yet, no charge has been made against me. At
the most, it is merely a question of attempting to obtain money by a
trick--and even so you will have some difficulty in proving that I am
guilty. Yes, I know you will deny this, but I have some knowledge of the
law, Mr. Smith, and I have also some small experience of English juries.
It is not the English law that I am afraid of, and it is not the
sentence which your judges will pass upon me which fills me with
apprehension. I am afraid of my treatment at the hands of the Russian
Government."

He shivered a little.

"It is because I wish to avoid extradition that I make this offer. Put
things right for me, and I will place in your hands, not only the secret
of Farrington's scheme for escape, but also the full list of his agents
through the country. You will find them in no books," he said with a
smile; "my stay in the Secret House was mainly occupied from morning
till night in memorizing those names and those addresses."

T. B. looked at him thoughtfully.

"There is something in what you say," he said. "I must have a moment to
consider your offer."

He heard a noise from the road without and pulled aside the blind. A car
had driven up and was discharging a little knot of plain clothes
Scotland Yard men. Amongst them he recognized Ela.

"I shall take the liberty of locking you in this room for a few moments
whilst I consult my friends," said T. B.

He went out, turned the key in the lock and put it i