"My unfortunate position," Laverick said, "has nothing whatever to
do with the matter. Where you got your information from I cannot
say. I neither accept nor deny it. But I can assure you that I
am not to be intimidated. This document will remain in my possession
until some one can show me a very good reason for parting with it."

Lassen beat the back of the chair against which he was standing with
his clenched fist.

"A reason why you should part with it!" he exclaimed fiercely. "Man,
it stares you there in the face! If you do not part with it, you will
be arrested within twenty-four hours for the murder or complicity in
the murder of Rudolph Von Behrling! That I swear! That I shall
see to myself!"

"In which case," Laverick remarked, "the document will fall into the
hands of the English police."

The shot told. Laverick could have laughed as he watched its effect
upon his listener. Mr. Lassen's face was black with unuttered
curses. He looked as though he would have fallen upon Laverick
bodily.

"What do you know about its contents?" he hissed. "Why do you
suppose it would not suit my purpose to have it fall into the hands
of the English police?"

"I can see no reason whatever," Laverick answered, "why I should
take you into my confidence as to how much I know and how much I do