the letter," he said.

"I should have thought you would," suggested T. X., "because you
see, you burnt the envelope, and I presumed you would have noticed
that."

"I have no recollection of burning any envelope," said the other
easily.

"At any rate," T. X. went on, "when Mr. Lexman read this letter
out to you . . ."

"To which letter are you referring?" asked the other, with a lift
of his eyebrows.

"Mr. Lexman received a threatening letter," repeated T. X.
patiently, "which he read out to you, and which was addressed to
him by Vassalaro. This letter was handed to you and you also
read it. Mr. Lexman to your knowledge put the letter in his safe
- in a steel drawer."

The other shook his head, smiling gently.

"I am afraid you've made a great mistake," he said almost
apologetically, "though I have a recollection of his receiving a
letter, I did not read it, nor was it read to me."

The eyes of T. X. narrowed to the very slits and his voice became
metallic and hard.