dealers in the world working together couldn't prevent it. If they
succeed in doing this thing they feel they must do, they will only
bring disaster upon themselves. It would do no good to tell them so;
I merely laid my plans and am letting them alone. So, you see, my
dear, it is a big game--a big game!"



CHAPTER XI

THE SILENT BELL

He stood looking at her with earnest thoughtful eyes. Suddenly the
woman-soul within her awoke in a surging, inexplicable wave of
emotion which almost overcame her; and after it came something of
realization of the great fight he was making for her--for her, and
the aged, feeble grandfather waiting patiently out there. He loved
her, this master among men, and she sighed contentedly. For the
moment the maddening anxiety that brought her here was forgotten;
there was only the ineffable sweetness of seeing him again. She
extended her hands to him impulsively, and he kissed them both.

"The difficulty of you leaving here," he went on after a little, "is
that you would be followed, and within two hours these men would know
all about you--where you are stopping, how long you have been there;
they would know of your daily telephone messages to your grandfather,
and then, inevitably, they would appear out there, and learn all the
rest of it. It doesn't matter how closely they keep watch of me. My
plans are all made, I know I am watched, and make no mistakes. But
you!"