began a furious effort
to break away from his captors. One sudden motion freed his right arm
from Arima's clutch, and he reached for Maku's throat. But after a moment
of scuffling, he was again held securely.

"Girl!" he shouted, "don't try to call out. Keep quiet."

The Japanese in the tonneau appeared to understand the words, for he took
his hand away from the girl's mouth, though he remained beside her, ready
to put an end to any fresh outbreak.

"Now," said Orme, turning his eyes on Arima, "what does this mean?"

"You give us papers," replied the Japanese softly.

"I have no papers that mean anything to you."

"We see. Give them to me."

"What papers do you want?" demanded Orme.

"You know." Arima's voice sounded less patient.

"But I have nothing that you care anything about," repeated Orme.

At that Arima began rapidly to search Orme's pockets. There was
sufficient light from the lamps of the two cars to illuminate the scene.

Arima's left hand still held Orme's right forearm, and his right hand was
free to hunt for the papers. Maku, on the other side, had meantime
strengthened his grip on Orme's left arm, at the same time raising one
knee so that Orme could feel it pressing against the small of his back.

"What this!" asked Arima, taking a long envelope from the inner pocket of
Orme's coat and holding it up for inspection.

"A blank contract," said Orme. "Do you want it?"

Arima took the paper from the envelope and examined it. Then with an
exclamation of disgust he replaced it in Orme's pocket and continued his
search.

"You see," said Orme calmly, "there is nothing here."

The Japanese, muttering in his own tongue, ran his hands over Orme's body
and even looked into his hat. Nothing was found.

"You might as well believe me first as last," exclaimed Orme. "The papers
you want are not here."

Arima was clearly puzzled. "You had them," he began.

"Possibly. But I haven't them now. How would you feel if I should tell
you that the young lady and I have made this journey simply to throw you
off the scent, and that the papers were being delivered by another
person?"

"I not believe," declared Arima shortly.

Suddenly Maku began to jabber at Arima, who, after an instant of
consideration, gave a quick order to the fourth Japanese, who stood by.
This man went to the tonneau and got the prospectuses which Orme had
placed under the seat cushion.

Arima snatched the papers with his free hand, the