police record as a dangerous criminal of international
reputation."

"And Kenneth's valet--that fellow Francois."

"He was formerly in Keralio's employ."

The President rose. Extending his hand to the lawyer, he said:

"That's enough. I don't think the trail will be hard to pick up.
Spare no expense. Good night!"

CHAPTER XV

The last guest had gone. One by one the lights in the Traynor
residence were extinguished. The servants, tired after an exciting and
strenuous day, had gone to their quarters.

In the hall downstairs, the grandfather's clock rang out its musical
chimes and then, in ponderous tones, slowly struck the twelve hours of
midnight.

The master of the house was sitting at the desk in the library, looking
over some papers. From time to time he glanced significantly, first at
the clock and then at the corner where Helen and Ray were chatting over
the events of the day. At last the young girl took the hint. Jumping
up, she exclaimed good naturedly:

"How selfish I am to be sitting gossiping here when poor Kenneth is so
tired. Go to bed, both of you. I'm so sleepy myself I can hardly keep
awake. Good night!"

"Good night, dear!" said Helen, rising and kissing her.

"Good night, Ken! Pleasant dreams," cried the young girl as she left
the room.

"Good night!" he responded hoarsely.

The sound of her footsteps died away in the distance and Helen and the
gambler sat there in silence. He watched her furtively, trying to
guess the trend of her thoughts, his eyes bloodshot with wine, feasting
on every line of her girlish figure.

Never had she looked more beautiful, more desirable, than this evening.
Her _decollete_ gown revealed a white, plump neck, her lips were red
and tempting, her large dark eyes fairly sparkled from excitement. It
was a vision to distract a saint and Handsome was no saint. It was
indeed only with the greatest difficulty that he curbed his impatience
to carry off the prize that lay within his grasp.

"Are you tired," he said at last. "Do you want to go to bed?"

"Not very," she answered. "I'm too excited to sleep. Hasn't it been
an exciting day?"

He made no reply, pretending to be occupied at the desk, and she
relapsed into a dream silence, glad of a few quiet, peaceful moments to
be alone with her thoughts. How good it was to have him home again!
Now she could be at peace once more and enjoy life as she used to. She
could go to the opera, to th