ons got into severe trouble for their want of
information.

The one thing that is positively known is that Barraclough arrived in
and disappeared from Southampton in a single day, but whether he went
North, South, East or West is a matter for speculation.

PART II.

CHAPTER 17.

A DOUBTFUL ALLY.

"That guy," said Ezra P. Hipps, "that guy is some stayer."

Hugo Van Diest, from the deeps of a big arm chair, omitted a kind of
rumbling affirmative. He was smoking a porcelain pipe enamelled with
roses and forget-me-nots. His fat, short fingered hands were spread
across the waistcoat of Berlin wool, his chin was sunk and his bearing
that of a man who is out of humour.

Gracefully disposed upon the hearthrug stood Oliver Laurence, an
excellent advertisement for his tailor.

Ezra P. Hipps, hugging one knee, sat upon the centre table and he was
looking at Auriole Craven with much the same expression as might be
seen on the face of a slave buyer in an African market. He had passed
her shoes, appreciated her stockings, nodded approval at her gown and
millinery and was now observing with satisfaction that the gloves which
she was peeling off revealed two arms of perfect proportion.

"That guy," he proceeded, "has got to be made to talk. Looks like.
He's made fools of us too long. Looks like," he threw a glance at
Laurence, "your durn psychology isn't worth a hill o' beans."

"We haven't given it a chance yet," said Laurence in defence of his
method.

"Seventeen days," grunted Van Diest. "And no progress--nothing. This
was not an ordinary man."

"Am I to see him today?" asked Auriole.

Hipps shook his head and the girl brightened perceptibly.

"Seems to please you."

"No, it doesn't. I'll go up if you want me to--only----"

"Get on with it."

"I can't help thinking it's a mistake. Can't help thinking that
somehow that minute I spend with him every day strengthens rather than
breaks him down."

"Guess you're right--it would me," Hipps agreed. There was a shade of
gallantry in the tone.

"I take leave to doubt that," said Laurence. "I'm positively sure that
if a man is feeling the pinch all day long and everybody he comes in
contact with is definitely against him, a momentary glimpse of someone
who is seemingly sympathetic is far more likely to weaken his resolve
than strengthen it. It makes him relax and even though you relax only
a trifle it's the very deuce to get a grip on yourself aga