ell you that much, because Mr. Farrington
does not ordinarily take risks. In your case, however, he is prepared,
just so long as you are impressed with his power to punish, to give you
one chance of life. Whether you take that chance or not entirely depends
upon yourself. He will not extract any oaths or promises or pledges of
any kind; he will release you with the assurance that if you will serve
him you will be handsomely rewarded, and if you fail him you will be
most handsomely killed; do I make myself clear?"

"Very," said Poltavo, and the hand that raised the cigarette to his lips
trembled a little.

"I would like to add," began the doctor, when the shrill sound of a
ringing bell rang through the vaulted apartment. Fall sprang up, walked
quietly to the wall, and placed his ear against a portion which appeared
to be no different to any other, but which, as Poltavo gathered,
concealed a hidden telephone.

"Yes?" he asked. He listened. "Very good," he said.

He turned to Poltavo, and surveyed him gravely.

"You will be interested to learn," he said, "that the house is entirely
surrounded by police. You have evidently been followed here."

A light sprang into Poltavo's eyes.

"That is very awkward for you," he said, with a laugh.

"More awkward for you, I think," said Doctor Fall, walking slowly to
the farthermost wall of the room.

"Stop!" said Poltavo.

The doctor turned. He was covered by the black barrel of Poltavo's
pistol.

"I beg to assure you," said the Count mockingly, "that this pistol is
loaded with two small cartridges which I found in my waistcoat pocket,
and which I usually carry in case of emergency. There is at any rate
sufficient----"

He said no more, for suddenly the room was plunged in darkness, the
lights were extinguished by an unseen hand as at some signal, and a
mocking laugh came back to him from where Fall had stood.

"Shoot!" said the voice, but the two cartridges were too precious for
Poltavo to take any risks in the dark. He stood waiting, suddenly heard
a click, and then the lights came up again. He was alone in the room. He
shrugged his shoulders; there was nothing to do but wait.

If T. B. Smith had followed him here, and if he had taken the drastic
step of surrounding the house with police, there was hope that he might
be rescued from his present unhappy plight. If not, he had the promise
which Farrington had given of his release on terms.

He heard the whirr of the d