and I succeeded in swallowing Kennedy's
tales of Monte Carlo and Ostend and Ascot without even a smile. He
must have heard them somewhere, and treasured them up for just such an
occasion, but he told them in a manner that was verisimilitude itself,
using perfect English with just the trace of an accent at the right
places.

At last it was time to saunter around to the Vesper Club without seeming
to be too indecently early. The theatres were not yet out, but my friend
said play was just beginning at the club and would soon be in full
swing.

I had a keen sense of wickedness as we mounted the steps in the yellow
flare of the flaming arc-light on the Broadway corner not far below us.
A heavy, grated door swung open at the practised signal of my friend,
and an obsequious negro servant stood bowing and pronouncing his name
in the sombre mahogany portal beyond, with its green marble pillars and
handsome decorations. A short parley followed, after which we entered,
my friend having apparently satisfied someone that we were all right.

We did not stop to examine the first floor, which doubtless was innocent
enough, but turned quickly up a flight of steps. At the foot of the
broad staircase Kennedy paused to examine some rich carvings, and I felt
him nudge me. I turned. It was an enclosed staircase, with walls that
looked to be of re-enforced concrete. Swung back on hinges concealed
like those of a modern burglar-proof safe was the famous steel door.

We did not wish to appear to be too interested, yet a certain amount of
curiosity was only proper.

My friend paused on the steps, turned, and came back.

"You're perfectly safe," he smiled, tapping the door with his cane with
a sort of affectionate respect. "It would take the police ages to get
past that barrier, which would be swung shut and bolted the moment the
lookout gave the alarm. But there has never been any trouble. The police
know that it is so far, no farther. Besides," he added with a wink to
me, "you know, Senator Danfield wouldn't like this pretty little door
even scratched. Come up, I think I hear DeLong's voice up-stairs. You've
heard of him, monsieur? It's said his luck has changed I'm anxious to
find out."

Quickly he led the way up the handsome staircase and into a large,
lofty, richly furnished room. Everywhere there were thick, heavy carpets
on the floors, into which your feet sank with an air of satisfying
luxury.

The room into which we entered wa