She wrung her hands.

"You understand, of course!" she exclaimed. "I did not trust
Lassen, but I never imagined anything like this. He is an Austrian.
Only a few hours ago I learned that he is one of their most heavily
paid spies. Streuss got hold of him. But there, I forgot - you do
not understand this. It is enough that he laid a plot to get that
document from you. Where is it, Mr. Laverick? You have brought it
now?"

"Why, no," Laverick answered, "I have not."

Her eyes were round with terror. She held out her hands as though
to keep away some tormenting thought.

"Where is it?" she cried. "You have not parted with it?

"I have not," Laverick replied gravely. "It is in the safe deposit
of a hotel to which I have moved."

She closed her eyes and drew a long breath of relief.

"You are not well," Laverick said. "Let me help you to a chair."

She sat down wearily.

"Why have you moved to a hotel?" she asked.

"To tell you the truth," Laverick answered, "I seem to have