“Why did you make yourself so like Jimmy?” she demanded. It was the last thing he expected her to say. “Because I realized the necessity of another interview with you, and because I thought that for a few moments at least I could deceive you.” “You might have done so indeed, for a moment; but not for long. But why did you wish to do it?” “Juno, every wish that I had was built upon the desire to recover possession of the tin cylinder, which I was sure you held in your possession. To-night I have heard you admit that you have it. I want it, Juno.” “Suppose I should refuse it?” “In that case I would keep on searching till I discovered it; that is all.” She came a step nearer to him. “You saved my life to-night, Nick Carter. Do you realize that? That man would have killed me. You appeared on the scene just in time.” “That is why I appeared,” he replied. “I owe you something for that, my friend. But first of all, I owe you an apology—for what I said and did when you were here at my reception. Will you forgive me?” “Oh, that is all in the game, Juno. I think I admired you when you did it. It was a very plucky thing to do.” “No. That is a mistake. It was not a plucky thing to do; it was a despicable thing for me to do. Will you forgive it? Say yes, if you mean it.” “Yes. Wholly. Entirely. And now——” “Before we refer to the tin cylinder and the papers it contains, will you do me a favor, please?” she interrupted him. “I think so. What is it?” “That door opens into a lavatory. Go in there and remove the disguise. Let me talk to you as Nick Carter; not as what you appear to be.” Without a word he turned away. Five minutes later he was back again, and stood before her with not a trace of the disguise left upon him. He noticed that she was holding in one of her hands the tin cylinder about which so much had been done, and which had been the cause of so many things happening. With only a few words of comment, she placed it in his hands. “Take it,” she said. “I hate it and all that is connected with it. Somehow I feel as if I were responsible for the death of poor Turnieff, although I swear to you——” “You need not, Juno. I am already convinced of that much.” “But I had nothing to do with the theft of it. I did not even ask him to get it for me or if it was in his power to get it. Once I did mention those papers to him, and say that if I could get possession of them my fortune would be made. Then one day he brought them to me—and I hated him for it; hated him for the weakling he was. I did not come here in the service of that country that wanted the papers. It was only after I arrived here that I was induced to take part in their affairs; but I swear to you that I have never done one single thing for them, or abetted one of their acts, which could reflect upon me in the slightest degree. Oh, please believe me, Nick Carter.” “I do believe you, Juno.”