on held up a hand.

"One minute," he suggested. "I imagine Mr. Hipps is reluctant to speak
out before so many witnesses. It would be better perhaps if Mr. Van
Diest and myself discussed this matter in private. Is everyone
agreeable?"

There was some small demur, but it was finally agreed upon. The others
went out into the hall, leaving Mr. Torrington and Van Diest alone.

They were both very smiling and scrupulously polite, but the air of the
room seemed to crackle with stored electricity. The Dutchman was given
a chair by the writing table and cigarettes were placed at his elbow.
Indeed, every social amenity was observed before Hilbert Torrington
fired the first round.

"Let us assume, Van Diest, that we are neither of us honourable men."

Van Diest took quite a long time lighting a cigarette before replying.

"You don't mind if I smoke?"

"It's an admirable sedative for conscience and nerves alike. Wouldn't
you prefer a cigar of Barraclough's?"

"Ach! it wass of this young man I wass about to speak."

"I had almost guessed it," said Mr. Torrington, and picking up the
patience cards began to lay them out in little packs.

"It is said he iss on the road tonight--wass seen by a man who hass
done some works for me."

"Indeed! That must have surprised you very much. After cherishing the
belief that he was snugly accommodated at Laurence's house."

Van Diest acknowledged this thrust gracefully.

"A clever idea thiss substitute--a nice fellow too--vonderful
determination."

"Hm! Careless of you to lose him."

"Mislay, my friend. I do not know thiss verb to lose."

"So you come to me for instruction? Ah well, it's never too late to
learn."

For the first time Van Diest scowled, but quickly controlled his
features and waved a hand over the cards.

"You tell your fortune, eh?"

"Dear me, no! I can wait for that to develop. A mere game of
patience, nothing more."

"There are times, Mr. Torrington, when action is of more value than
patience."

"I treasure your opinion," came the smiling rejoinder. "What was it
you were saying? A man of yours saw Barraclough? Was that all he did?"

"Not a very smart man that."

"But you've others--smarter?"

"Mus' not let ourselves be beat, y'know."

"So galling isn't it?"

"I haf no experience," retorted Van Diest, and rising crossed to a
canary cage in the window where, to Mr. Torrington's silent
indignation, he spent quite a long while whistlin