"I shan't," was that worthy's prompt answer. "Then I shall call the police," returned Vermont, pulling out his silver cab-whistle. Wilfer started back. "Call 'em," he said defiantly. "I don't care. What's the police to me, as I should be scared of 'em?" "A great deal," was the calm answer. "If you are mad enough to disobey me, I shall whistle for the police; they will find me struggling with a most villainous-looking ruffian, whom I instantly give in charge for assault and robbery of my dear friend, Mr. Leroy, who has gone in search of assistance." "It's all a lie," shouted Wilfer furiously. "Appearances would be too strongly against you, my friend. The law is 'a hass,' as doubtless you have heard before; and when it comes in the shape of a blue-coated, helmeted and thick-headed policeman, whose word do you think would be believed, yours or mine?--to say nothing of this evidence." Stooping, he picked up Leroy's gold watch and chain, which had fallen from his pocket during his struggle with Wilfer. "I found this is your hand. A clear case of assault and robbery, with penal servitude to follow." Mr. Wilfer, dazed by the thickly-meshed net drawn round him, eyed the watch and yielded. "Curse you!" he said. "You're a knowing one an' no mistake." Jasper smiled. "Thank you," he said; "a genuine compliment, and a candid one. Now then, to business. What did you want with Mr. Leroy?" The man looked up at the smooth, masterful face, and inwardly acknowledged his opponent's power. "I'm thinking, guv'nor," he answered slowly, "you heard all there was to hear, and saw all there was to see; an' a bit more besides," he added, as he thought of that precious gold watch he had so stupidly failed to see. "Any'ow, if you're so anxious for me to go over it all again, I wanted to know the whereabouts of a niece of mine--a young girl he took to 'is 'ome, some weeks ago." Mr. Vermont's eyes gleamed and his hand shook slightly with excitement, as he lit another cigar; for evidently this was the girl at whom, he remembered, Norgate had grumbled. If she could only be kept out of sight, Jasper thought he saw a way to getting his beloved friend into even deeper trouble than he had ever dreamed possible. "You can prove it, I suppose?" he asked. "I can," said Mr. Wilfer; though, as a matter of fact, he would have found this rather a difficulty. Mr. Jasper put his hand into his pocket; as we have said before, he was not very generous when it came to spending his own money, but there were occasions when it was necessary to buy fresh tools, and this was one of them. He drew out some gold, which Mr. Wilfer eyed as greedily as a dog would a bone. "Now," said Vermont, "your address?" "Cracknell Court, Soho, guv'nor," returned the man, his manner visibly altering at the sight of money.