o me would be fearfully avenged!
As for this flinty-hearted brute, he would never even reach that
threshold alive, if he dared to threaten! Go! Leave him to me. Come here
to-morrow night. I shall have need of your cool brain and your ready
wit! My only task was to find him and the girl together."

"And if I am questioned about you? If anything occurs?" persisted Alan
Hawke.

"Simply ignore my existence; if we meet we are strangers!" gasped
Berthe, who had thrown herself on a divan. "Obey me without questioning
my motive! Each night you will receive orders for the next day, should I
need your secret hand! Go now! I am tired! I must be ready to meet this
man!"

Alan Hawke had reached the door, but he turned back. "And as to Ram Lal?
What shall I do?" The woman's eyes flashed fire.

"Leave him also to me! I will handle him! A few rupees--will serve
as his bait. Stay! You say that this Swiss woman, Justine Delande, is
sympathetic, and seems to be a worthy person?" She was scanning his
impassive face with steely glances now.

"She is younger than her sister Euphrosyne," gravely said Alan Hawke,
"and not without some personal attractions. Her older sister adores her.
Even this old brute, Johnstone, seems to treat her with great respect
and deference."

"There is the only danger to us! Watch that woman! Mingle freely in the
Johnstone household," said Berthe, wearily, "but never cast your eyes
toward Nadine. Never even hint to this Swiss governess that you have
seen her sister. After they return to Europe it is another thing.
Silence and discretion now. Good night. Come to-morrow night at ten
o'clock; all will be quiet, and you can steal away from the Club in
safety."

Major Alan Hawke stole away to the hidden entrance like a thief of the
night. He started as he saw the menacing figure of Jules Victor glide
swiftly after him to the secret opening in the wall. The servitor spoke
not a single word, but watched the business agent disappear. "I must
watch this damned Frenchman," he mused, feeling for his packet of notes
and loosening his revolver. "He may be set on by this she devil to watch
Ram Lal." And then Hawke gayly sought the jewel merchant, lingering
an hour in the very room where he was on the morrow to meet the
heart-awakened Justine. Old Ram Lal grinned as he accepted the letter.
He was happy, for he heard the jingling of golden guineas in the near
future. "You have nothing to do with me, Ram Lal," laughed the M