Italian name, and, in all likelihood, spoke only Italian. Was this
Alfieri the man who "hated" von Kerber--who "brought a very serious
charge" against him? But Royson was given no time for consecutive
thought. The Baron, breathing heavily, and seemingly in pain, came to
him and said, in the low tone of one who does not wish to be overheard:

"Let your prisoner go, Mr. King. I am all right, and everlastingly
obliged to you, but I do not wish to be detained in Marseilles while
the slow French law gets to work. So let him go. He is nothing--a mere
hireling, yes? And we sail to-morrow."




CHAPTER IV


VON KERBER EXPLAINS

"You've left your trademark on this chap," broke in Tagg. He was
bending over a prostrate body, and the cab-driver was bewailing the
plight of his voiturette.

Royson righted the carriage; then he lifted the man to a sitting
position, and listened to his stertorous breathing. The blow had been
delivered on that facial angle known to boxers as the "point," while
its scientific sequel is the "knock-out."

"He is all right," was the cool verdict. "He will wake up soon and feel
rather sick. The general effect will be excellent. In future he will