its teeth. Laverick was suddenly on his guard. More adventures,
he thought, casting a somewhat contemptuous glance at the physique
of the other man. He laid his fingers as though carelessly upon a
small bronze ornament which reposed amongst others on a table by
his side. If Mr. Lassen's fat and ugly hand should steal toward
his pocket, Laverick was prepared to hurl the ornament at his head.

"I am very sorry to hear you say that, Mr. Laverick," Lassen said
slowly. "I hope very much that you will see your way clear to
change your mind. I can assure you that I have as much right to
the document as Mademoiselle Idiale, and that it is her earnest
wish that you should hand it over to me. Further, I may inform you
that the document itself is a most incriminating one. Its possession
upon your person, or upon the person of any one who was not upon his
guard, might be a very serious matter indeed."

Laverick shrugged his shoulders.

"As a matter of fact," he declared, "I certainly have no idea of
carrying it about with me. On the other hand, I shall part with it
to no one. I might discuss the matter with Mademoiselle Idiale
as soon as she is recovered. I am not disposed - I mean no offence,
sir - but I may say frankly that I am not disposed even to do as
much with you."

Laverick rose to his feet with the obvious intention of leaving.
Lassen followed his example and confronted him.

"Mr. Laverick," he said, "in your own interests you must not talk
like that, - in your own interests, I say."