shall, perhaps, resume this discussion at some future date."

With that he turned and followed Halsey out of the room. Laverick
went to the window and threw it wide open. The smoke floated out,
the smell of gunpowder was gradually dispersed. Then he walked
back to his seat. Once more he locked up the notes. The document
was safe in his pocket. There was a slight mark by the side of his
temple, and his ear, he discovered, was bleeding. He rang the bell
and Halsey entered.

"Has our friend gone, Halsey?"

"I left him in the optician's, sir," the clerk answered. "He was
buying some spectacles."

Laverick glanced at the floor, where the remains of those
gold-rimmed glasses were scattered.

"You had better send for a locksmith at once," he said. "The
gentleman who has been here had a skeleton key to my safe. We'll
have a combination put on."

"Very good, sir," Halsey answered.

"And, Halsey," his master continued, "be careful about one thing,
for your own sake as well as mine. If that man presents himself
again, don't let him come into my room unannounced. If you can
help it, don't let him come in at all. I have an idea that he
might be dangerous."