packet which you are offering to buy, but also my career and my
honor."

"One hundred thousand pounds," Streuss said slowly. "From your own
side you get nothing--nothing but your beggarly salary and an
occasional reprimand. One hundred thousand pounds is not immense
wealth, but it is something."

"Your offer is a generous one," admitted Bellamy, "there is no doubt
about that. On the other hand, I cannot decide without further
consideration. It is a big thing for us, remember. I have worked
very hard for the contents of that packet."

Once more Streuss felt an uneasy pang of incredulity. After all,
was this Englishman playing with him? So he asked: "You are quite
sure that you have it?"

"There is no means of convincing you of which I care to make use.
You must be content with my word. I have the packet. I paid Von
Behrling for it and he gave it to me with his own hands."

"I must accept your word," Streuss declared. "I give you three days
for reflection. Before I go, Mr. Bellamy, forgive me if I refer
once more to this,"--touching the newspaper which still lay upon
the table. "Remember that Rudolph Von Behrling moved about a marked
man. Your spies and mine were most of the time upon his heels. Yet
in the end some third person seems to have intervened. Are you
quite sure that you know nothing of this?"

"Upon my honor," Bellamy replied, "I have not the slightest
information concerning Von Behrling's death beyond what you can read
there. It was as great a surprise to me as to you."

"It is incomprehensible," Streuss murmured.

"One can only conclude," Bellamy remarked thoughtfully, "that someone
must have seen him with those notes. There were people moving about
in the little restaurant where we met. The rustle of bank-notes has
cost more than one man his life.

"For the present," Streuss said, "we must believe that it was so.
Listen to me, both of you. You will be wiser if you do not delay.
You are young people, and the world is before you. With money one
can do everything. Without it, life is but a slavery. The world
is full of beautiful dwelling-places for those who have the means
to choose. Remember, too, that not a soul will ever know of this
transaction, if you should decide to accept my offer."

"We shall remember all those things," Bellamy assured him.

Streuss took up his hat and gloves.

"With your permission, then, Mademoiselle," he concluded, turning to
Louise, "I go. I