him? He knows!"

Ford's mind was working swiftly. He had no real fear of personal
danger for the girl or himself. The Jew, he argued, was no fool. He
would not risk his neck by open murder. And, as he saw it, escape
with the girl might still be possible. He had only to conceal from
Prothero his knowledge of the line of retreat over the house-tops,
explain his rain-soaked condition, and wait a better chance.

To this end he proceeded to lie briskly and smoothly.

"Of course I know," he taunted. He pointed to his dripping
garments. "Do you know where I've been? In the street, placing my
men. I have this house surrounded. I am going to walk down those
stairs with this young lady. If you try to stop me I have only to
blow my police-whistle----"

"And I will blow your brains out!" interrupted the Jew. It was a
most unsatisfactory climax.

"You have not been in the street," said Prothero. "You are wet
because you hung out of your window signalling to your friend. Do
you know why he did not answer your second signal? Because he is
lying in an area, with a knife in him!"

"You lie!" cried Ford.

"YOU lie," retorted the Jew quietly, "when you say your men
surround this house. You are alone. You are NOT in the police
service, you are a busybody meddling with men who think as little