ew
better, and for the first time he was really alarmed as to its
whereabouts. He returned Koltsoff's gaze with smouldering eyes. But
the Russian was very much at ease.

"What is it?" he asked at length. Without waiting for Armitage to
reply he walked swiftly to the desk, jerked open a panel, and placed
his hand in the opening. When he withdrew it, it was empty. Jack
laughed, drew from his pocket a short heavy revolver with a pearl,
gold-crested handle, twirled it about by the guard, and then put it
back in his pocket.

"I got there first, Koltsoff," he said.

Prince Koltsoff straightened and regarded Armitage warily.

"What does this mean?" He nodded his head toward Takakika and started
forward as for the first time he noticed that the man was a Japanese.

"Ah," he said, "I see. You have foiled a spy. Ha! ha! I thank you.
And now the pistol--and your manner! Ha! ha! ha! Your joke!"

Armitage saw clearly that for some reason--which he believed he
recognized--Koltsoff was willing that the incident, so far as Jack was
concerned, should end right there. The Prince had given him his lead.
He had but to follow it and clear out, with no questions asked. But
that was farthest from his mind.

"My joke is not clear to you, I see."

"Indeed! Will you do me the honor to make it clear?"

"Certainly. Last Sunday night a tool of yours named Yeasky stole a
magnetic contrivance from the shops of the Torpedo Station. He gave it
to you. I want it. I am going to get it before either you or I leave
this room."

Koltsoff clasped his hands together.

"I recognize you as a servant in the employ of this house. What right
have you to address me? Now, go to your quarters at once or I shall
report you. You are intoxicated!"

"Am I!" He backed before the door as Koltsoff's eyes moved toward it,
covering at the same time the call buttons in the wall at the side of
the jamb.

The Prince laughed and leaned carelessly back against a table.

"Very well, since you appear to deny your identity, as well as your
condition--which is quite obvious, I beg you to know--I can admit only
that you have the advantage of me."

"Oh, shut up!" said Jack angrily. "Are you going to give me that
control? My name is Armitage. I invented that device and you and your
dirty band of square-heads stole it. I want it back now, quick! And
if--"

The Prince still smiling, interrupted.

"Ah, Armitage, I might have known. Allow me