lied. "I had bought Von Behrling.
He was of no further interest to me. I did not care whether he
lived or died."

"There is something very strange about this," the Baron said. "If
neither you nor I were responsible for his death, who was?"

"That I can't tell you. Perhaps later in the day we shall hear from
the police. It is scarcely the sort of murder which would remain
long undetected, especially as he was robbed of a large sum in
bank-notes."

"Supplied by His Majesty's Government, I presume?" Streuss remarked.

"Precisely," Bellamy assented, "and paid to him by me."

"At any rate," Streuss said grimly, "we have now no more secrets
from one another. I will ask you one last question. Where is that
packet at the present moment?"

Bellamy raised his eyebrows.

"It is a question," he declared, "which you could scarcely expect me
to answer."

"I will put it another way," Streuss continued. "Supposing you
decide to accept my offer, how long will it be before the packet can
be placed in my hands?"

"If we decide to accept," Bellamy answered, "there is no reason why
there should be any delay at all."

Streuss was silent for several moments. His hands were thrust deep
down into the pockets of his overcoat. With eyes fixed upon the
tablecloth, he seemed to be thinking deeply, till presently he raised
his head and looked steadily at Bellamy.

"You are sure that Von Behrling has not fooled you? You are sure
that you have that identical packet?"

"I am absolutely certain that I have," Bellamy answered, without
flinching.

"Then accept my price and have done with this matter," Streuss
begged. "I will sign a draft for you here, and I will undertake
to bring you the money, or honor it wherever you say, within
twenty-four hours."

"I cannot decide so quickly," said Bellamy, shaking his head.
"Mademoiselle Idiale and I must talk together first. I am not sure,"
he added, "whether I might not find a higher bidder."

Streuss laughed mirthlessly.

"There is little fear of that," he said. "The papers are of no
use except to us and to England. To England, I will admit that the
foreknowledge of what is to come would be worth much, although the
eventful result would be the same. It is for that reason that I am
here, for that reason that I have made you this offer."

"Mademoiselle and I must discuss it," Bellamy declared. "It is not
a matter to be decided upon off-hand. Remember that it is not only
the