Merkle shrugged; his next words were audible, and they were both
sharp and incisive.

"The harm's done. They got away clean. Now we've got to kill the
story and kill it quick in case they intend it for the papers."

"My God! Newspapers--at this time," groaned the other. "It
couldn't be worse."

"Right. We must move fast. Is your car here?"

"Yes."

"Get it. We'll go in with you. I had an accident to mine."

"You'll see for yourself that you're wrong--about the other."
Hammon jerked his head meaningly toward the house, then strode
away to order his motor.

Merkle favored his young companion with a wintry smile.

"It seems we're too late."

Lorelei nodded silently. "Don't tell him who--spoke to us out
there. Not yet, at least. I--can't see HIM go to jail."

"Jail? There won't be any jail to this--there never is. Jarvis
will have to settle for the sake of the rest of us."

Hammon's limousine rolled in under the porte-cochere, and a moment