man stood up, took it
with his free hand and held it tightly.

"You are very wise," he said slowly.

He started to back toward the window.

"Wait," Drake was on his feet, "Sylvia promised to return in the
morning. Why...?"

A look of compassion spread across the gunman's face.

"Sylvia Fanton is no more," he said pityingly. "You had but a brief
glimpse of an earthly woman who is the most perfect creation on earth.
Now she has completed her mission and will return to her people."

"Then you did get the diamond?" Drake was sorry at once that he had
spoken. The man's eyes turned icy.

"We have done what we came to do," he said shortly. "We appreciate the
part you played in our success. More than that, I am not at liberty to
discuss. Please do not follow me as I leave."

Then, carefully,

"Make no mistake, Mr. Drake. Our queen came very close to deserting
her sacred trust. If you were to see her again, you would not enjoy
the same close association. There is no place in her life for you, or
you would be going with me instead of staying here at the point of a
gun."

Drake moved forward hesitantly, and then stopped with the gesture of a
man who knows he is beaten.

"Okay," he admitted. "You've got me on the spot. But remember this:
George Lardner thinks more of that diamond than he does his life. He's
going to leave a trail of blood in every country of the world, but
he'll get it if you don't kill him first."

The gunman's face was a mask of hatred.

"Do not underestimate the power Lardner is fighting," he said grimly.
"There will be blood, yes. It will be Lardner's blood. He has a debt
to pay, and it is not our wish that you be involved when payment is
made. Our leader whom you know as Sylvia Fanton has one message for
you. Goodbye."

He tossed a small envelope of paper at Jim's feet and was gone through
the window as silently as a floating cloud.

* * * * *

Jim stood speechless for a second, then he went toward the window and
looked down the long line shadow of the fire escape. There was no one
in sight. A small dog darted along the edge of the alley far below. Or
was it a dog? His bewildered mind told him the animal was more like a
fox in its quick, sly movements.

Drake picked up the slip of paper in shaking fingers. He opened it and
stared at the neat longhand message:

_We were very close to love, Jim Drake. Love is not good for a woman
who has my obligations._