m my heart, sir, I could say that Mr Thomas's hands were
clean. He has no excuse; for he was engaged at the time--and is still
engaged--to the belle of Constantinople, Ga. My friend's conduct was
unworthy of the brutes that perish.'

'Ga.?' repeated Gideon enquiringly.

'A contraction in current use,' said Michael. 'Ga. for Georgia, in The
same way as Co. for Company.'

'I was aware it was sometimes so written,' returned the barrister, 'but
not that it was so pronounced.'

'Fact, I assure you,' said Michael. 'You now see for yourself, sir, that
if this unhappy person is to be saved, some devilish sharp practice will
be needed. There's money, and no desire to spare it. Mr Thomas could
write a cheque tomorrow for a hundred thousand. And, Mr Forsyth,
there's better than money. The foreign count--Count Tarnow, he calls
himself--was formerly a tobacconist in Bayswater, and passed under
the humble but expressive name of Schmidt; his daughter--if she is his
daughter--there's another point--make a note of that, Mr Forsyth--his
daughter at that time actually served in the shop--and she now proposes
to marry a man of the eminence of Mr Thomas! Now do you see our game? We
know they contemplate a move; and we wish to forestall 'em. Down you
go to Hampton Court, where they live, and threaten, or bribe, or both,
until you get the letters; if you can't, God help us, we must go to
court and Thomas must be exposed. I'll be done with him for one,' added
the unchivalrous friend.

'There seem some elements of success,' said Gideon. 'Was Schmidt at all
known to the police?'

'We hope so,' said Michael. 'We have every ground to think so. Mark
the neighbourhood--Bayswater! Doesn't Bayswater occur to you as very
suggestive?'

For perhaps the sixth time during this remarkable interview, Gideon
wondered if he were not becoming light-headed. 'I suppose it's just
because he has been lunching,' he thought; and then added aloud, 'To
what figure may I go?'

'Perhaps five thousand would be enough for today,' said Michael. 'And
now, sir, do not let me detain you any longer; the afternoon wears
on; there are plenty of trains to Hampton Court; and I needn't try to
describe to you the impatience of my friend. Here is a five-pound note
for current expenses; and here is the address.' And Michael began to
write, paused, tore up the paper, and put the pieces in his pocket. 'I
will dictate,' he said, 'my writing is so uncertain.'

Gideon took down