a moment his glance shifted to the blazing eyes of the man who held
it--a young man, rather slight, with clean-cut, aristocratic features,
and of the pronounced Italian type.

[Illustration: He found himself inspecting the weapon from the barrel
end.]

"My God!" The words came from Miss Thorne's lips almost in a scream.
"Don't--!"

"I did make some inquiries about a revolver, yes," Mr. Grimm interrupted
quietly. "Is this the one?"

He raised his hand quite casually, and his fingers closed like steel
around the weapon. Behind his back Miss Thorne made some quick emphatic
gesture, and the new-comer released the revolver.

"I shall ask you, please, to free Miss Thorne," he requested
courteously. "I shot Señor Alvarez. I, too, am a secret agent of the
Italian government, willing and able to defend myself. Miss Thorne has
told you the truth; she had nothing whatever to do with it. She took the
weapon and escaped because it was mine. Here is the paper that was taken
from Señor Alvarez," and he offered a sealed envelope. "I have read it;
it is not what I expected. You may return it to Señor Alvarez with my
compliments."

After a moment Mr. Grimm's hand fell away from Miss Thorne's arm, and
he regarded the new-comer with an interest in which admiration, even,
played a part.