"At any rate," Laverick remarked, "my interests are better looked
after by myself than by strangers. You must forgive my adding,
Mr. Lassen, that you are a stranger to me."

"No more so than Mademoiselle Idiale!" the little man exclaimed.

"Mademoiselle Idiale has given me certain proof that she knew at
least of the existence of this document," Laverick answered. "She
has established, therefore, a certain claim to my consideration.
You announce yourself as Mademoiselle Idiale's deputy, but you
bring me no proof of the fact, nor, in any case, am I disposed to
treat with you. You must allow me to wish you good afternoon."

Lassen shook his head.

"Mr. Laverick," he declared, "you are too impetuous. You force me
to remind you that your own position as holder of that document is
not a very secure one. All the police in this capital are searching
to-day for the man who killed that unfortunate creature who was
found murdered in Crooked Friars' Alley. If they could find the
man who was in possession of his pocket-book, who was in possession
of twenty thousand pounds taken from the dead man's body and with
it had saved his business and his credit, how then, do you think?
I say nothing of the document."

Laverick was silent for a moment. He realized, however, that to
make terms with this man was impossible. Besides, he did not trust
him. He did not even trust him so far as to believe him the
accredited envoy of Mademoiselle.