was not safe
in my chambers, so I moved to a hotel and deposited it in their
strong-room. I have come to the conclusion that the best thing I
can do is to open it to-morrow morning, and decide for myself
as to its destination."

Louise sat quite still for several moments. Then she opened her
eyes.

"What you say is an immense relief to me, Mr. Laverick," she
declared. "I perceive now that we have made a mistake. We should
have told you the whole truth from the first. This afternoon when
Mr. Bellamy left me, it was to come to you and tell you everything."

Laverick listened gravely.

"Really," he said, "it seems to me the wisest course. I haven't
the least desire to keep the document. I cannot think why Bellamy
did not treat me with confidence from the first--"

He stopped short. Suddenly he understood. Something in Louise's
face gave him the hint.

"Of course!" he murmured to himself.

"Mr. Laverick," Louise said quietly, "in this matter I am no man's
judge, yet, as you and I know well, that paper could have come into
your hands in one way, and one way only. There may be some
explanation. If so, it is for you to offer it or not, as you think
best. Mr. Bellamy and I are allies in this matter. It is not our
business to interfere with the course of justice. You will run no
risk in parting with that paper.

"Where can I see Bellamy?" Laverick Inquired, rising and taking up
his hat.

"He would go straight to your rooms," she answered. "Did you leave
word there where you had gone?"

"Purposely I did not," Laverick replied. "I had better try and find
him, perhaps."

"It is not necessary," she announced. "No wonder that you feel
yourself to have wandered into the Arabian Nights, Mr. Laverick.
There are two sets of spies who follow you everywhere--two sets that
I know of. There may be another."

"You think that Bellamy will find me?" he asked.

"I am sure of it."

"Then I'll go back to the hotel and wait."

She hurried him away, but at the door she detained him for a moment.

"Mr. Laverick," she said, looking at him earnestly, "somehow or
other I cannot help believing that you are an honest man."

Laverick sighed. He opened his lips but closed them again.

"You are very kind, Mademoiselle," he declared simply.

Laverick, as he entered the reception hall at the Milan Hotel,
noticed a man leaning over the cashier's desk talking confidentially
to the clerk in charge. The latter recogniz