f you want proof of what I say you
shall have it in less than five minutes. Skinner, be off and fetch a
couple of constables."

"I really must protest," Mr. Sabin said. "Mr. Skinner is my guest, and
I will not have him treated in this fashion, just as the terrapin is
coming in, too. Sit down, Mr. Skinner, sit down. I will settle this
matter with you in my room, Mr. Horser, after I have dined. I will not
even discuss it before."

Mr. Horser opened his mouth twice, and closed it again. He knew that his
opponent was simply playing to gain time, but, after all, he held the
trump card. He could afford to wait. He turned to a waiter and ordered a
cigar. Mr. Sabin and Mr. Skinner continued their dinner.

Conversation was a little difficult, though Mr. Sabin showed no signs of
an impaired appetite. Skinner was white with fear, and glanced every now
and then nervously at his chief. Mr. Horser smoked without ceasing, and
maintained an ominous silence. Mr. Sabin at last, with a sigh, rose,
and lighting a cigarette, took his stick from the waiter and prepared to
leave.

"I fear, Mr. Horser," he remarked, "that your presence has scarcely
contributed to the cheerfulness of our repast. Mr. Skinner, am I to be
favoured with your company also upstairs?"

Horser clutched that gentleman's arm and whispered a few words in his
ear.

"Mr. Skinner," he said, "will join us presently. What is your number?"

"336," Mr. Sabin answered. "You will excuse my somewhat slow progress."

They crossed the hall and entered the elevator. Mr. Horser's face
began to clear. In a moment or two they would be in Mr. Sabin's
sitting-room-alone. He regarded with satisfaction the other's slim,
delicate figure and the limp with which he moved. He felt that the
danger was already over.

CHAPTER V

BUT, after all, things did not exactly turn out as Mr. Horser had
imagined. The sight of the empty room and the closed door were
satisfactory enough, and he did not hesitate for a moment.

"Look here, sir," he said, "you and I are going to settle this matter
quick. Whatever you paid Skinner you can have back again. But I'm going
to have that report."

He took a quick step forward with uplifted hand--and looked into the
shining muzzle of a tiny revolver. Behind it Mr. Sabin's face, no longer
pleasant and courteous, had taken to itself some very grim lines.

"I am a weak man, Mr. Horser, but I am never without the means of
self-defence," Mr. Sabin said in