friend?"

"It might be best."

They moved together down the corridor and Owen directed their way to a
little study secluded from all other apartments of the great house.

"You seem to be familiar with the home of our gracious hostess,"
remarked Baskinelli.

"I make it a rule to be familiar with all homes in which Miss Marvin is
entertained."

"Miss Marvin? You are, then a relative?"

"I am her guardian."

"Ah-h! You have control--perhaps--of certain small sums bequeathed
to her?"

"Yes."

"And you would like to have as few persons as possible in the Chinatown
party?"

"As few as possible."

In a place known only as Cagliacci's, in the dreg depths of Elizabeth
street, the ringing of the telephone bell was much more startling, much
more unusual than the crash of a pistol shot or the blast of a bomb.

The habitu's moved quietly to the door that leads to the roofs, while
Pietro Cagliacci himself wiped the dust-covered receiver on his apron
and put it to his ear.

He spoke softly, tersely. The conversation was very brief. Within a
minute after he had hung up the receiver three grimy-clad, grim-visaged
men left the place silently.

Harry and Lucille came out of the conservatory.

"I tell you there wasn't anything said between us that could have
caused it," he was saying. "I was fighting the whole thing hard, but I
was fighting it like a beggar. I am always a beggar with Pauline."

"But you told her it wasn't right that she was risking other people's
lives?"

"No, I told you to tell her that."

In spite of her distress over Pauline's coldness, Lucille burst into
laughter.

They were just emerging into the music room. Pauline, like the others,
turned at the unexpected sound. She gave one glance at the two and
turned haughtily away.

Baskinelli was bustling about, making up an impromptu excursion party.

"Ha! You people of New York--you do not know what is in New York.
All Europe is here--and you never cross Fourteenth street--I mean
to say Fifth avenue."

"It is more dangerous to cross Fifth avenue than to cross the ocean--
that's probably the reason," said Harry. "The traffic cops along the
Gulf Stream are so careful."

Pauline stopped Baskinelli's intended reply. She wanted Harry to be
ignored utterly. Her anger had made him flippant. His flippancy had
put the seal of completeness upon her anger.

CHAPTER IX

BASKINELLI'S QUARRY

A flutter of polite alarm attended Sig