ory
in risks and revel in dangers. I never knew, I never thought,
never cared, where it would lead me, but I looked into the
gateway of heaven last night, and I can't go down the path to
hell any longer. Here is an even half of Miss Wyvern's jewels.
If you and her father would have me hand over the other half
to you, and would have The Vanishing Cracksman disappear
forever, and a useless life converted into a useful one, you
have only to say so to make it an accomplished thing. All I
ask in return is your word of honour (to be given to me by
signal) that you will send for Sir Horace Wyvern to be at your
office at eleven o'clock to-night, and that you and he will
grant me a private interview unknown to any other living
being. A red-and-green lantern hung over the doorway leading
to your office will be the signal that you agree, and a violet
light in your window will be the pledge of Sir Horace Wyvern.
When these two signals, these two pledges, are given, I shall
come in and hand over the remainder of the jewels, and you
will have looked for the first time in your life upon the real
face of The Man Who Calls Himself Hamilton Cleek.

"God bless my soul! what an amazing creature, what an astounding
request!" exclaimed Sir Horace, as he laid the letter down. "Willing to
give up L20,000 worth of jewels for the mere sake of a private
interview! What on earth can be his object? And why should he include
me?"

"I don't know," said Narkom in reply. "It's worth something, at all
events, to be rid of 'The Vanishing Cracksman' for good and all; and he
says that it rests with us to do that. It's close to eleven now. Shall
we give him the pledge he asks, Sir Horace? My signal is already hung
out; shall we agree to the conditions and give him yours?"

"Yes, yes, by all means," Sir Horace made answer. And, lighting the
violet lamp, Narkom flicked open the pinned curtains and set it in the
window.

For ten minutes nothing came of it, and the two men, talking in whispers
while they waited, began to grow nervous. Then somewhere in the distance
a clock started striking eleven, and, without so much as a warning
sound, the door flashed open, flashed shut again, a voice that was
undeniably the voice of breeding and refinement said quietly,
"Gentlemen, my compliments. Here are the diamonds and here am I!" and
the figure of a man, faultlessly dre