with to-morrow."

Mr. Horser bore himself in defeat better than at any time during the
encounter. He turned to the constables.

"Go down stairs and wait for me in the hall," he ordered. "You too,
Skinner."

They left the room. Horser turned to Mr. Sabin, and the veins on his
forehead stood out like whipcord.

"I know when I'm beaten," he said. "Keep your report, and be damned to
you. But remember that you and I have a score to settle, and you can ask
those who know me how often Dick Horser comes out underneath in the long
run."

He followed the others. Mr. Sabin sat down in his easy-chair with
a quiet smile upon his lips. Once more he glanced through the brief
report. Then his eyes half closed, and he sat quite still--a tired,
weary-looking man, almost unnaturally pale.

"They have kept their word," he said softly to himself, "after many
years. After many years!"

* * * * *

Duson came in to undress him shortly afterwards. He saw signs of the
struggle, but made no comment. Mr. Sabin, after a moment's hesitation,
took a phial from his pocket and poured a few drops into a wineglassful
of water.

"Duson," he said, "bring me some despatch forms and a pencil."

"Yes, sir."

Mr. Sabin wrote for several moments. Then he placed the forms in an
envelope, sealed it, and handed it to Duson.

"Duson," he said, "that fellow Horser is annoyed with me. If I should
be arrested on any charge, or should fail to return to the hotel within
reasonable time, break that seal and send off the telegrams."

"Yes, sir."

Mr. Sabin yawned.

"I need sleep," he said. "Do not call me to-morrow morning until I ring.
And, Duson!"

"Yes, sir."

"The Campania will sail from New York somewhere about the tenth of
October. I wish to secure the whole of stateroom number twenty-eight. Go
round to the office as soon as they open, secure that room if possible,
and pay a deposit. No other will do. Also one for yourself."

"Very good, sir."

CHAPTER VI

"Here's a lady inquiring for you, sir--just gone up to your room in the
elevator," the hotel clerk remarked to Mr. Sabin as he paused on his way
to the door to hand in his key. "Shall I send a boy up?"

Mr. Sabin hesitated.

"A lady?" he remarked tentatively.

The hotel clerk nodded.

"Yes. I didn't notice the name, but she was an Englishwoman. I'll send
up."

"Thank you, I will return," Mr. Sabin said. "If I should miss her on t