of his body servant Simpson, as well as
the Calcutta Banker and solicitors, proves that no such considerable
withdrawals as twenty-five thousand pounds were ever contemplated by
the deceased, who had sent the most minute business instructions to his
agent and later executor."

"I shall have to throw this all back on Ram Lal." mused Alan Hawke, who
hastily bade Justine an adieu, until he could conjure up an explanation
for the Geneva agents of the Credit Lyonnais. The closing words of the
Paris Derection were semi-hostile. "Be pleased. Monsieur, to call at
once upon our Geneva branch and explain these imputations. We are forced
to withhold your present deposits to cover any reclamation and legal
expenses, and we therefore beg you to discontinue the drawing of any
drafts upon us until the solicitors of Messrs. Glyn, Carr & Glyn and the
Executor notify us of the settlement of this distressing imputation upon
the regularity of our actions as your business agents."

"That leaves me only the jewels, and about a thousand pounds ready cash
on hand, and that is due from Anstruther," gloomily decided Alan Hawke,
when he was safely locked in his rooms at the National.

"Tricked by this double-faced devil Louison-Delavigne, thrown out of my
future rank, held for the five thousand pounds already advanced, and,
with eleven thousand embargoed in that Paris pawnbroker shop of a Credit
Lyonnais, I've but one course left to me now."

He took counsel of the brandy bottle, and then, ignoring all else, he
sent off a careful letter to Joseph Smith. "I'll jolly poor Justine a
bit, so as to leave one faithful friend to watch and get all my letters
here. Jack can raise money on the jewels now for us both. I must tell
these fellows of the French Bank here that I go to London to see my own
lawyers. I'll go over, settle with Anstruther, and then just quietly
disappear. The next blow shall come out of the blackness of night, and
I'll strike them all at once!"

In the evening, Major Alan Hawke drove with Justine Delande to the
restaurant garden, where, long months before, he had first learned the
daring hardihood of his fair employer--the acute woman who had fooled
him at every turn. His heart was saddened with all the fresh hopes which
had failed him. He had frankly told Euphrosyne Delande that a return
journey to India, and a long and bitter struggle now lay between him and
the rank and competence which he would need to make her loving sister