ome here
at once. Understand?"

"_Oui_, monsieur."

Keralio rose. In commanding tones, he said:

"Then go at once."

The valet went to get his hat. As he approached the door Keralio
halted him and said:

"What's Handsome doing--keeping sober?"

"He has to, for I lock up all ze liquor. He lives like a lord, buying
swell clothes, riding in ze automobile. Last night he lost at ze club
$10,000 he had drew from ze bank."

Keralio gave a low whistle.

"The deuce he did! Living high, eh? Well--that's all right. Let him
enjoy it. His gay life won't last long--only just as long as it suits
my purpose."

"Hush! Not a word--here he is!"

From the landing outside came the sound of a heavy body lurching. Then
came the noise of someone groping for the handle, followed by a furious
pounding on the wooden panels.

"Open up there, will you!" shouted a hoarse voice.

"Drunk, as usual!" said Keralio contemptuously.

He suddenly threw the door open and the gambler, burly and unsteady on
his legs, almost fell in. He was in evening dress, his collar and tie
rumpled, his hair unkempt. His face was flushed, his eyes bloodshot.
Reeling in, he hiccoughed:

"What'n h--ll do you live so far up town for? I thought I'd never get
here. Say, this is the end of the world, ain't it? Jumping off place,
eh? Stopped several times on the way to get a drink. My cabby nearly
got lost. Been driving me round for three hours trying to locate the
blooming house. Charged me $5. Hell of a good business, ain't it.
Tain't on the level to treat an old pal that way. Y'oughter be ashamed
o' yourself."

"I'm more ashamed of you--for making such a beast of yourself,"
rejoined Keralio angrily. "Stop your cursed noise or you'll have the
police on top of us!"

Without ceremony, he pushed the newcomer into a seat and made a gesture
to Francois to go. The valet went toward the door.

"Remember," said Keralio warningly. "There must be no blundering. I
want the child brought here----"

"_Oui_, monsieur--it shall be as you say."

The door closed and Keralio turned quietly to the miner. Sternly, and
in a manner that brooked no nonsense, he demanded:

"Did you bring the diamonds?"

Handsome grinned, and pointed to his waist.

"I've got 'em all right!" With another hiccough, he added: "But
there's no hurry, old sport. Let's have a drink before we get talking
business."

In two rapid strides Keralio was up to him. Fiercel