color slowly
returning to her cheeks. "I begin to understand. But tell me, what
happened when Mr. Laverick came?"

"I can only guess," Bellamy answered, "but it seems that Lassen must
have received him as though with your authority."

"And what then?" she asked quickly.

"I am almost certain," Bellamy declared, "that Laverick refused to
have anything to do with him. I received a wire from Dover to say
that you were on your way home, and asking me to meet you at the
Lord Warden Hotel. I borrowed Montresor's racing-car, but I sent
telegrams, and I was pretty soon on my way back. When I arrived
here, I found Lassen in your little room with a broken head.
Evidently Laverick and he had a scrimmage and he got the worst of
it. I have searched him to his bones and he has no paper. Laverick
brought it here, without a doubt, and has taken it away again."

She rose to her feet.

"Go and let Lassen out," she said. "Tell him he must never come
here again. I will see him at the Opera House to-night or to-morrow
night--that is, if I can get there. I do not know whether I shall
feel fit to sing."

"I shall take the liberty, also," remarked Bellamy, "of kicking
Henri out."

Louise sighed.

"He was such a good servant. I think it must have cost our friend
Streuss a good deal to buy Henri. You will come back to me when
you have finished with them?"

Bellamy made short work of his discomfited prisoners. Lassen was
surly but only eager to depart Henri was resigned but tearful.
Almost as they went the other servants began to return from their
various missions. Bellamy went back to Louise, who was lying down
again and drinking some tea. She motioned Bellamy to come over to
her side.

"Tell me," she asked, "what are you going to do now?"

"I am going to do what I ought to have done before," Bellamy answered.
"Laverick's connection with this affair is suspicious enough, but
after all he is a sportsman and an Englishman. I am going to tell
him what that envelope contains--tell him the truth."

"You are right!" she exclaimed. "Whatever he may have done, if you
tell him the truth he will give you that document. I am sure of it.
Do you know where to find him?"

"I shall go to his rooms," Bellamy declared. "I must be quick, too,
for Lassen is free--they will know that he has failed."

"Come back to me, David," she begged, and he kissed her fingers and
hurried out.

CHAPTER XXX

THE CONTEST FOR THE PA