too. Curse it," he added bitterly, "coming at a time when it is
absolutely necessary that I should have all my strength to carry
through a negotiation that is only a beginning, important not so
much for myself as for the whole world. It is one of the first
times New York bankers have had a chance to engage in big dealings
in that part of the world. I suppose Yvonne has shown you one of
the letters I am receiving?"

He rustled a sheaf of them which he drew from a drawer of his
desk, and continued, not waiting for Kennedy even to nod:

"Here are a dozen or more of them. I get one or two every day,
either here or at my town house or at the office."

Kennedy had moved forward to see them.

"One moment more," Brixton interrupted, still holding them. "I
shall come back to the letters. That is not the worst. I've had
threatening letters before. Have you noticed this room?"

We had both seen and been impressed by it.

"Let me tell you more about it," he went on. "It was designed
especially to be, among other things, absolutely soundproof."

We gazed curiously about the strong room. It was beautifully
decorated and furnished. On the walls was a sort of heavy, velvety
green wall-paper. Exquisite hangings were draped about, and on the
floor were thick rugs. In all I noticed that the prevailing tint
was green.