w into the station his valets breathed
great sighs of relief, and his French chef and negro porter mopped the
perspiration from their troubled brows, while silently offering peans
of gratitude for safe delivery. When the surly giant descended the car
steps his waiting footman drew back in alarm, as he caught his
master's black looks. When he threw himself into the limousine, his
chauffeur drew a low whistle and sent a timidly significant glance in
the direction of the lackey. And when at last he flung open the doors
of his private office and loudly summoned Hood, that capable and
generally fearless individual quaked with dire foreboding.

"The Express--I want a libel suit brought against it at once! Draw it
for half a million! File it in Judge Penny's court!"

"Yes, sir," responded the lawyer meekly. "The grounds?"

"Damn the grounds!" shouted Ames. Then, in a voice trembling with
anger: "Have you read the last week's issues? Then find your grounds
in them! Make that girl a defendant too!"

"She has no financial interest in the paper, sir. And, as for the
reports which they have published--I hardly think we can establish a
case from them--"

"What? With Judge Penny sitting? If you and he can't make out a case
against them, then I'll get a judge and a lawyer who can! I want that
bill filed to-morrow!" bringing his fist down upon the desk.

"Very well, sir," assented Hood, stepping back.

"Another thing," continued Ames, "see Judge Hanson and have the
calling of the Ketchim case held in abeyance until I am ready for it.
I've got a scheme to involve that negro wench in the trial, and drag
her through the gutters! So, she's still in love with Rincon, eh?
Well, we'll put a crimp in that little affair, I guess! Has Willett
heard from Wenceslas?"

"Not yet, sir."

"I'll lift the scalp from that blackguard Colombian prelate if he
tries to trick me! Has Willett found Lafelle's whereabouts?"

"No, sir. But the detectives report that he has been in Spain
recently."

"Spain! What's he--up to there?" he exclaimed in a voice that began
high and ended in a whisper.

He lapsed into a reflective mood, and for some moments his thoughts
seemed to wander far. Then he pulled himself together and roused out
of his meditations.

"You told Jayne that I would back the Budget to any extent, provided
it would publish the stuff I sent it?"

"Yes, sir. He was very glad to accept your offer."

"Very well. You and Willett set abou