ner of expressing himself seemed
to convince the thief. With a slight shrug of his shoulders he again
addressed himself directly to Alison.

"In the matter of the reward," he said, "we're of the opinion that
you've offered too little by half. Twenty thousand at the least--"

"You forget I have the duty to pay."

"My dear lady, if you had not been anxious to evade payment of the duty
you would be enjoying the ownership of your necklace today."

As he spoke the telephone-bell rang. Staff turned away to his desk,
Ismay's voice pursuing him with the caution.

"Don't forget about that open drawer--keep your hands away from it."

"Oh, be quiet," returned Staff contemptuously. Standing with his back
to them, he took up the instrument and lifted off the receiver.

"Hello?" he said irritably.

He was glad that his face was not visible to his guests; he could
restrain a start of surprise, but was afraid his expression would have
betrayed him when he recognised the voice at the other end of the line
as Iff's.

"Don't repeat my name," it said quickly in a tone low but clear. "That
is Iff. Ismay still there?"

"Yes," said Staff instantly: "it's I, Harry. How are you?"

"Get rid of him as quick 's you can," Iff continued, "and join me here at
the Park Avenue. I dodged down the fire-escape and caught his motor-car;
his chauffeur thinks I'm him. I'll wait in the street--Thirty-third
Street side, with the car. Now talk."

"All right," said Staff heartily; "glad to. I'll be there."

"Chauffeur knows where Nelly is, I think; but he's too big for me to
handle alone, in case my foot slips and he gets suspicious. That's why I
need you. Bring your gun."

"Right," Staff agreed promptly. "The club in half an hour. Yes, I'll
come. Good-bye."

He turned back toward Ismay and Alison, his doubts resolved, all his
vague misgivings as to this case of double identity settled finally and
forever.

"Alison," he said, breaking in roughly upon something Ismay was saying
to the girl, "you've a cab waiting outside, haven't you?"

Alison stared in surprise. "Yes," she said in a tone of wonder.

Staff paused beside the divan, one hand resting upon the topmost of a
little heap of silken cushions. "Mind if I borrow it?" he asked,
ignoring the man.

"No, but--"

"It's business--important," said Staff. "I'll have to leave you here at
once. Only"--he watched Ismay closely out of the corners of his
eyes--"if I were you I wouldn't waste any