said Richard.

Oliver Laurence laid a soothing hand on his shoulder and the touch of
the man was beastly. It inspired an instant and substantial dislike.
Richard rounded on him with his first show of temper and brushed away
the hand.

"Look here, Daisy," he said. "Better not touch the exhibits unless you
want to be hurt."

And at this point Ezra P. Hipps showed himself a man of action.

"Guess what you won't give we'll have to take. Keys?"

"Take 'em by all means," said Richard, fishing the bunch from his
pocket. "Tell me if you find anything."

"It will save a lot of troubles to you if we find something," murmured
Van Diest.

There was a distinct menace in the words but Richard was too interested
in the activities of Ezra P. Hipps to pay heed to that. With
lightning-like rapidity the American had unlocked every drawer in the
bureau, withdrawn them from their runners and laid them in a precise
row on the floor.

"Guessed it," he ejaculated. "Simple. One of 'em is shorter than the
rest."

He dived a hand into the cavity lately filled by the short drawer and
produced a small steel despatch box.

"The goods!"

Richard leaned forward with a sudden impulse to prevent the box being
opened but the caressing muzzle of Van Diest's revolver coaxed him back
to the chair.

"Very simple," said Van Diest. "Maps inside. Open it."

Hipps wasted little time trying to find a key that would fit. He put
the box on the floor and kicked it scientifically. From the wreckage
he rescued a neat roll of parchment with a tape round its waist. Once
again he remarked "The goods!" whisked off the tape and spread out the
parchment.

"Writing."

"Read it."

And he read.

"That would be altogether too easy, gentlemen. Perhaps there isn't a
map after all."

Richard settled himself comfortably with a sigh of satisfaction and the
three men turned to look at him.

"Don't blame me," he said sweetly, "I never said there was a map, did
I?"

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Auriole with a flush of what might
easily have been taken for pleasure on her cheeks. It was very
perplexing.

"Hm!" Van Diest nodded. "Hm! A wise man keep this sort of
informations in his head."

"'Course he does."

"Yes, yes. Mr. Barraclough, a great deal you oblige by coming with us
to an apartment we have prepared for your receptions."

"It's nice of you but I'm very comfortable here."

"I'm afraid we must insist."

"Since you'r