, labouring under an emotion which was perfectly pardonable, described
Kara, his ancestors and the possibilities of his future estate.

Very slowly the Greek recovered his self-possession.

"I didn't intend using it on you, I swear I didn't," he pleaded.
"I'm surrounded by enemies, Meredith. I had to carry some means of
protection. It is because my enemies know I carry this that they fight
shy of me. I'll swear I had no intention of using it on you. The idea is
too preposterous. I am sorry I fooled you about the safe."

"Don't let that worry you," said T. X. "I am afraid I did all the
fooling. No, I cannot let you have this back again," he said, as the
Greek put out his hand to take the infernal little instrument. "I must
take this back to Scotland Yard; it's quite a long time since we had
anything new in this shape. Compressed air, I presume."

Kara nodded solemnly.

"Very ingenious indeed," said T. X. "If I had a brain like yours," he
paused, "I should do something with it--with a gun," he added, as he
passed out of the room.

CHAPTER IX

"My dear Mr. Meredith,

"I cannot tell you how unhappy and humiliated I feel that my
little joke with you should have had such an uncomfortable
ending. As you know, and as I have given you proof, I have
the greatest admiration in the world for one whose work for
humanity has won such universal recognition.

"I hope that we shall both forget this unhappy morning and
that you will give me an opportunity of rendering to you in
person, the apologies which are due to you. I feel that
anything less will neither rehabilitate me in your esteem,
nor secure for me the remnants of my shattered self-respect.

"I am hoping you will dine with me next week and meet a most
interesting man, George Gathercole, who has just returned
from Patagonia,--I only received his letter this morning--
having made most remarkable discoveries concerning that
country.

"I feel sure that you are large enough minded and too much a
man of the world to allow my foolish fit of temper to
disturb a relationship which I have always hoped would be
mutually pleasant. If you will allow Gathercole, who will
be unconscious of the part he is playing, to act as
peacemaker between yourself and myself, I shall feel that
his trip, which has cost me a large sum of money, will not
have been w