" said the latter abruptly.

The Russian, studying him attentively with his pale venomous eyes,
bowed.

"Pleased to meet you," said the American. "I've got some very important
business I'd like to talk over with you, if I can see you alone." He
looked pointedly at the other.

"My secretary, Monsieur Grieber, from whom I have no secrets."

"That may be so--but I have," said Julius dryly. "So I'd be obliged if
you'd tell him to scoot."

"Ivan," said the Russian softly, "perhaps you would not mind retiring
into the next room----"

"The next room won't do," interrupted Julius. "I know these ducal
suites--and I want this one plumb empty except for you and me. Send him
round to a store to buy a penn'orth of peanuts."

Though not particularly enjoying the American's free and easy manner
of speech, Kramenin was devoured by curiosity. "Will your business take
long to state?"

"Might be an all night job if you caught on."

"Very good, Ivan. I shall not require you again this evening. Go to the
theatre--take a night off."

"Thank you, your excellency."

The secretary bowed and departed.

Julius stood at the door watching his retreat. Finally, with a satisfied
sigh, he closed it, and came back to his position in the centre of the
room.

"Now, Mr. Hersheimmer, perhaps you will be so kind as to come to the
point?"

"I guess that won't take a minute," drawled Julius. Then, with an abrupt
change of manner: "Hands up--or I shoot!"

For a moment Kramenin stared blindly into the big automatic, then, with
almost comical haste, he flung up his hands above his head. In that
instant Julius had taken his measure. The man he had to deal with was an
abject physical coward--the rest would be easy.

"This is an outrage," cried the Russian in a high hysterical voice. "An
outrage! Do you mean to kill me?"

"Not if you keep your voice down. Don't go edging sideways towards that
bell. That's better."

"What do you want? Do nothing rashly. Remember my life is of the utmost
value to my country. I may have been maligned----"

"I reckon," said Julius, "that the man who let daylight into you would
be doing humanity a good turn. But you needn't worry any. I'm not
proposing to kill you this trip--that is, if you're reasonable."

The Russian quailed before the stern menace in the other's eyes. He
passed his tongue over his dry lips.

"What do you want? Money?"

"No. I want Jane Finn."

"Jane Finn? I--never heard of her!"

"Yo