y.

"You blasted Hun," he grunted. "Go wrestling with girls, will you?"

Titania ran from the room, through the pantry.

Roger was holding Weintraub's revolver in front of the German's face.

"Look here," he said, "what does this mean?"

"It's all a mistake," said the druggist suavely, though his eyes slid
uneasily to and fro. "I just came in to get some books I left here
earlier in the afternoon."

"With a revolver, eh?" said Roger. "Speak up, Hindenburg, what's the
big idea?"

"It's not my revolver," said Weintraub. "It's Metzger's."

"Where's this suitcase of yours?" said Roger. "We're going to have a
look at it."

"It's all a stupid mistake," said Weintraub. "I left a suitcase of old
books here for Metzger, because I expected to go out of town this
afternoon. He called for it, and your young woman wouldn't give it to
him. He came to me, and I came down here to tell her it was all right."

"Is that Metzger?" said Roger, pointing to the bearded man who was
trying to break Aubrey's grip. "Gilbert, don't choke that man, we want
him to do some explaining."

Aubrey got up, picked his revolver from the floor where he had dropped
it, and prodded the chef to his feet.

"Well, you swine," he said, "how did you enjoy falling downstairs the
other evening? As for you, Herr Weintraub, I'd like to know what kind
of prescriptions you make up in that cellar of yours."

Weintraub's face shone damply in the lamplight. Perspiration was thick
on his forehead.

"My dear Mifflin," he said, "this is awfully stupid. In my eagerness,
I'm afraid----"

Titania ran back into the room, followed by Helen, whose face was
crimson.

"Thank God you're back, Roger," she said. "These brutes tied me up in
the kitchen and gagged me with a roller-towel. They threatened to
shoot Titania if she wouldn't give them the suitcase."

Weintraub began to say something, but Roger thrust the revolver between
his eyes.

"Hold your tongue!" he said. "We're going to have a look at those
books of yours."

"I'll get the suitcase," said Titania. "I hid it. When Mr. Weintraub
came in and asked for it, at first I was going to give it to him, but
he looked so queer I thought something must be wrong."

"Don't you get it," said Aubrey, and their eyes met for the first time.
"Show me where it is, and we'll let friend Hun bring it."

Titania flushed a little. "It's in my bedroom cupboard," she said.

She led the way upstairs, Metzge