de.

"It is not often that one is the embodiment of _belles-lettres_, having
such details of logic so easily within reach."

During all this travesty of demeanor and phrase, with its tantalizing
mockery and its crafty insinuation, Gratz had betrayed no emotion
whatever, nor did his eyes lose one whit of their usual placidity as he
beheld the Sepoy, with a sort of lithe, animal rapidity, produce a small
traveling-case from the wardrobe and return with it to the bag of coin
on the table.

"You see," continued the Sepoy as he was about to deposit the bag in the
case, "I have left room for this. I anticipated its addition to my
paraphernalia and made preparations accordingly.

"Notice how neatly it fits in. And now I offer you my sympathy for the
miscarriage of your plans.

"This, to a man of sentiment and enterprise, is always obnoxious. I feel
myself indebted to you for some exceedingly intelligent mental
processes, and, believe me, I part with you with a feeling so nearly
resembling regret that I will not do you the discourtesy of doubting
that the sentiment is genuine.

"I leave you to make explanations to your clients in whatsoever way you
may see fit. I salute you!" and the next instant the Sepoy had slipped
through the doorway into the hall, along which he hurried until he
reached the main entrance of the house.

To make his way through this into the vestibule and thence into the
street was the work of the next few moments, and with a grin of
malicious triumph he descended the steps which led to the pave.

Scarcely had his feet touched the ground when a man from either side of
the stone balustrade stepped out, and each grasped an arm of the
scowling Sepoy.

"A moment, please!" exclaimed one of the men, as he snapped back the
shield of a small lantern he carried and directed its searching light
into the distorted countenance.

"Ah!" exclaimed his captor to the fellow on the other side of the
prisoner, "this is the chap, Tom."

"Now, mister, you can walk back. Not a word; you may be all right and we
may be all wrong; it can soon be settled in there."

"One question, please," begged the Sepoy. "Who are you? By what right do
you detain me?"

"One at a time, mister," replied the man with the lantern. "There's a
man inside who can answer these questions for you."

A sudden light penetrated the mind of the Sepoy. "Ah!" he exclaimed, "I
understand."

"That's good, mister; it will save a deal of explanatio