cious glances at Orme, who recognized, of course,
that the move was directed against himself.

To embarrass Orme with arrest and detention would well suit the purposes
of Alcatrante. At this late hour such an event would prevent the delivery
of the papers. Orme wondered whether the minister had realized that the
papers might be found by the police and disposed of properly. The
explanation of this apparent oversight on the part of Alcatrante was not
difficult, however, for, perhaps it was not a part of the plan that Orme
should be actually thrown into a cell. It was more likely that an arrest
would be followed, after as much delay as Alcatrante could secure, by a
refusal to prosecute. One advantage to Alcatrante would be the
opportunity of getting assistance while Orme was in the hands of the
police so that after the prisoner was released he would have more than
one person to contend with. Alcatrante would give up acting alone.

"Somebody has my purse!" Alcatrante was shouting. "Somebody here! You
must not let anybody out!"

The elevator-boy had been gaping in seeming paralysis, but now several of
the passengers--men who doubtless were sure of their positions--were
angrily ordering him to take the car down. Some of them had trains to
catch.

"No! No!" screamed Alcatrante.

Orme had kept out of the discussion, but now he spoke quietly. "I think,
Senhor Alcatrante"--he uttered the name distinctly, knowing that the
South American probably did not wish himself identified--"I think that,
if the boy will take the car almost to the bottom, the starter will help
you."

There was a chorus of seconds to this suggestion. The boy pulled the
lever and let the car descend slowly, while Alcatrante continued to
exclaim.

How would the South American try to throw suspicion where he wished it?
Orme puzzled over this question, for certainly the police would not
arrest all the passengers. And then he suddenly remembered how Alcatrante
had crowded against him when they entered the car.

A cold wave of horror swept over him. Was it possible that----?

He put his hand into the left side pocket of his coat. Something was
there that did not belong there--a smooth, bulging purse. Alcatrante had
put it there.

Orme fingered the purse. He would have to get rid of it, but he dared not
to drop it to the floor, and if he thrust it through the grating and let
it fall into the elevator well, someone would be almost certain to detect
the act