plot to
thwart justice. With the German university thoroughness to which you so
sarcastically referred, I have written down the facts as carefully as
though I were preparing a thesis for a doctor's degree!"

He laughed maliciously, studying the effect of his words. He was
disappointed. Shirley's bland manner changed not a whit. Instead the
criminologist offered him a cigarette.

"You might as well smoke now--as later!" and there was a wealth of
innuendo in the emphasis. "Is that all you are going to do, to square
your accounts?"

"By no means! As my trump card, I have implicated Miss Helene Marigold
in the various exploits which have been so successful now. She is
unknown in New York--I investigated that matter. She will have a fine
task in proving an alibi, after the careful preparation I have made. In
fact, I accuse her of being the mistress of my dead con'federate--"

Shirley sprang to his feet, and the rage which was shown in his strong
features brought a leer to the face of the other.

"Strike me," continued the tormentor. "All I have to do is to call the
guard. I have been busy thinking since they locked me up here. There is
nothing more to do to me than the electric chair--but, I am not finished
yet."

The criminologist controlled himself with difficulty. He realized that
an altercation with the prisoner would shatter his whole case, like a
house of cards blown down by a vagrant breeze. He sat down again, the
mask of calm indifference playing over his features.

"And what then?"

"Is not that sufficient to interest you? It will be another month before
my trial, and my literary work has just begun. The newspapers are filled
with war news, which have ceased to be a nine days' wonder. I shall
provide them with material which will be the story of the age! Another
month, and then?"

The prisoner lit the cigarette which he had accepted, and stretched back
in the plain wooden chair to enjoy the misery of his victim.

"But, a month--let me see? That would enable me to do some corresponding
myself, wouldn't it?" and Shirley took out a memorandum book. "You have
degraded a splendid intellect, a gallant spirit and brought disgrace
upon yourself, for this miserable ending. You have ruthlessly murdered
others, caring naught for the misery and wretchedness of those left
behind. Has it been worth it all, Warren?"

The other's eyes twinkled, as he nodded.

"A wonderful game. And I haven't completed the score, eve