no longer pleasant and courteous, had taken to itself some very
grim lines.

"I am a weak man, Mr. Horser, but I am never without the means of
self-defence," Mr. Sabin said in a still, cold tone. "Be so good
as to sit down in that easy-chair."

Mr. Horser hesitated. For one moment he stood as though about to
carry out his first intention. He stood glaring at his opponent,
his face contracted into a snarl, his whole appearance hideous,
almost bestial. Mr. Sabin smiled upon him contemptuously--the
maddening, compelling smile of the born aristocrat.

"Sit down!"

Mr. Horser sat down, whereupon Mr. Sabin followed suit.

"Now what have you to say to me?" Mr. Sabin asked quietly.

"I want that report," was the dogged answer.

"You will not have it," Mr. Sabin answered. "You can take that
for granted. You shall not take it from me by force, and I will
see that you do not charm it out of my pocket by other means. The
information which it contains is of the utmost possible importance
to me. I have bought it and paid for it, and I shall use it."

Mr. Horser moistened his dry lips.

"I will give you," he said, "twenty thousand dollars for its return."