realized it. Come along across the
street with me. My club is on the Terrace, just below. Stroll along
there with me and I'll tell you something about the professor, if you
like."

"Thank you," Tavernake answered, "I don't think I care about hearing
gossip. Besides, I think I know all there is to be known about him."

"Did you give Miss Beatrice my message?" Pritchard asked suddenly.

"If I did," Tavernake replied, "I have no answer for you."

"Will you tell her this," Pritchard began,--

"No, I will tell her nothing!" Tavernake interrupted. "You can look
after your own affairs. I have no interest in them and I don't want to
have. Good-night!"

Pritchard laughed again but he did not relax his grasp upon the other's
arm.

"Now, Mr. Tavernake," he said, "it won't do for you to quarrel with me.
I shouldn't be surprised if you discovered that I am one of the most
useful acquaintances you ever met in your life. You needn't come into
the club unless you like, but walk as far as there with me. When we get
on to the Terrace, with closed houses on one side and a palisade upon
the other, I am going to say something to you."

"Very well," Tavernake decided, reluctantly. "I don't know what there is
you can have to tell me, but I'll come as far as there, at any rate."

They crossed the Strand and turned into Adam Street. As they neared the
further corner, Pritchard stepped from the pavement into the middle of
the street, and looked searchingly around.

"Say, you'll excuse my being a little careful," he remarked. "This is
rather a lonely part for the middle of London, and I have been followed
for the last two days by people whose company I am not over keen about."

"Followed? What for?" Tavernake demanded.

"Oh, the usual thing!" answered the detective, with a shrug of the
shoulders. "That company of crooks I showed you last night don't fancy
having me around. They've a good many grudges up against Sam Pritchard.
I am not quite so safe over here as I should be in New York. Most of
them are off to Paris tomorrow, thank Heavens!"

"And you?" Tavernake asked. "Are you going, too?"

Pritchard shook his head.

"If only those fools would believe it, I'm not over here on their
business at all. I came over on a special commission this time, as you
know. I have a word of warning for you, Mr. Tavernake. I guess you won't
like to hear it, but you've got to."

Tavernake stopped short.

"I don't want your warnings!" he said a