ugh the thin, high nose.
Suddenly he threw the cigarette away half smoked; it had served the
purpose of its appearance. Inspector Val had smoked himself into a
conclusion.

"This is the way the thing strikes me," began Inspector Val. "Storri, as
you say, has a hold on Mr. Harley--has him frightened. There are three
ways to frighten a man; you can threaten him physically, or with
disgrace, or with the loss of money. Storri, by your report, is a coward
with not half the courage of Mr. Harley; besides, in this case, a
physical threat is out of the question. So is a threat of money loss; it
is preposterous to suppose that this half-baked Russian has got the
upper hand in a business way of a shrewd one like Mr. Harley, or that
the latter would permit him to drive him about like a dog if he had. No,
Storri has caught Mr. Harley in some wrong-doing, or, what is as bad,
the appearance of it--something that looks like crime. Doubtless it
refers to money, as from Mr. Harley's sort it isn't likely to include a
woman."

Inspector Val was here interrupted by Matzai, who said in excuse that
the note he bore was marked "important."

"Open it," observed Inspector Val. "Once in one thousand times a letter
marked 'important' is important."

Richard cut the envelope with a paper knife and, after silently running
the missive up and down, remarked:

"This note works into our conversation as though timed to find us
together. I'll read it to you. It's in French, and if you aren't
familiar with that language I'll translate."

Inspector Val said that he preferred a translation, and Richard gave him
the following. The address and the entire note were in typewriting:

Mr. Storms:

Count Storri's hold on Mr. Harley consists in this: Mr. Harley
wrote Count Storri's name on five stock certificates aggregating
two hundred shares of the Company Provence of Paris, France. It was
done to borrow money, but with honest intentions and at Count
Storri's request. Now Count Storri, who has the shares in his
possession, threatens Mr. Harley with a charge of forgery. In that
way he compels him to do his bidding. The man who writes you this
does not do it for your interest, but for

His Own.

"This did not come through the mails," said Inspector Val. "Ask your man
who handed it in."

Matzai said that the note was not handed in, but thrust beneath the
door. The bell had been rung; when the door was