Police!" faltered Sanford.

"Oh, well, perhaps we won't need one," said Joe coolly, "but it's
always best, in matters of this kind, to have one on hand. It doesn't
cost anything. Just get an officer, Helen, and wait downstairs with
him. I'll have a little talk with Sanford."

"Oh, Joe! I--I----!"

"Now, Helen, you just leave this to me. Run along."

Joe Strong seemed to dominate the situation. He displayed splendid
nerve.

Helen went slowly from the room.

"The clerk will tell you where to find a policeman," Joe called to her.
"You needn't tell him why one is needed. It may be that we shall get
along without one, and there's no need of causing any excitement unless
we have to."

"Joe--Joe," faltered Helen. "You will be careful--won't you?"

"Well," and Joe smiled quizzically, "I'll be as careful as he'll let
me," and he nodded toward the law clerk.

"What do you mean?" demanded Sanford, uneasily.

"You'll see in a few minutes," said Joe calmly.

When Helen went out Joe, with a quick movement, closed and locked the
hall door.

"What's that for?" cried Sanford.

"So you won't get out before I'm through with you."

The law clerk made a rush for Joe, endeavoring to push him to one side.
But muscles trained on a typewriter or with a pen are no match for
those used on the flying rings and trapeze.

With a single motion of his hand Joe thrust the clerk aside, fairly
forcing him into a chair.

"Now then," said Joe calmly, "you and I will have a little talk. You
needn't try to yell. If you do I'll stuff a bedspread in your mouth.
And if you want to try conclusions with me physically--well, here you
are!"

With a quick motion Joe caught the fellow up, and raised him high in
the air, over his head.

"Oh--oh! Put me down! Put me down!" Sanford begged. "I--I'll fall!"

"You won't fall as long as I have hold of you," chuckled Joe. "But
there's no telling when I might let go. Now let's talk business."

Trembling, Sanford found himself in the chair again.

"Did you sell Miss Morton any more stock?" demanded Joe.

"No--I--she--came here to buy, I thought, but----"

"Well, as long as she didn't it's all right. Now then about that oil
stock you got her to invest her money in--is that stock good?"

"Why, of course it----"

"Isn't!" interrupted Joe, "and you knew it wasn't when you sold it to
her. Now then I want you to take that stock back and return her money.
And I don't want you to sell