They stared around into every corner. Mr. Sabin was not there.
Then Horser saw the door leading into the bed-chamber, and flung
himself against it with a hoarse cry of rage.

"Break it open!" he cried to the policemen.

They hammered upon it with their clubs. Mr. Sabin's quiet voice
came to them from the other side.

"Pray do not disturb me, gentlemen," he said. "I am reading."

"Break it open, you damned fools!" Horser cried. They battered at
it sturdily, but the door was a solid one. Suddenly they heard the
key turn in the lock. Mr. Sabin stood upon the threshold.

"Gentlemen!" he exclaimed. "These are my private apartments. Why
this violence?"

He held out the paper.

"This is mine," he said. "The information which it contains is
bought and paid for. But if the giving it up will procure me the
privilege of your departure, pray take it."

Horser was purple with rage. He pointed with shaking fist to the
still, calm figure.

"Arrest him," he ordered. "Take him to the cells."

Mr. Sabin shrugged his shoulders.