“Of course not. That’s where the art of the thing comes in.” Angel looked grave for a minute. “I think we ought to ‘pull’ our friend,” he said. “Meaning Spedding?” “Yes.” “I don’t agree with you,” said Jimmy. “It would be ever so much more comfortable for you and me, but it will be ever so much better to finish up the Reale business first.” “Great minds!” murmured Angel, remembering his chief’s advice. “I suppose Mr. Spedding will lay for me to-night.” “You can bet your life on that,” said Jimmy cheerfully. As he was speaking, a servant came into the room with a letter. When the man had gone, Angel opened and read it. His grin grew broader as he perused it. “Listen!” he said. “It’s from Miss Kent.” Jimmy was all attention. “Dear Mr. Angel, “Spedding has trapped me again. Whilst I was shopping this afternoon, two men came up to me and asked me to accompany them. They said they were police officers, and wanted me in connection with last night’s affair. I was so worried that I went with them. They took me to a strange house in Kensington.... For Heaven’s sake, come to me!...” Jimmy’s face was so white that Angel thought he would faint. “The hounds!” he cried. “Angel, we must----” “You must sit down,” said Angel, “or you’ll be having a fit.” He examined the letter again. “It’s beautifully done,” he said. “Scrawled on a torn draper’s bill in pencil, it might very easily be her writing.” He put the missive carefully in a drawer of his desk, and locked it. “Unfortunately for the success of _that_ scheme, Mr. Spedding, I have four men watching Miss Kent’s house day and night, and being in telephonic communication, I happen to know that that young lady has not left her house all day.” He looked at Jimmy, white and shaking. “Buck up, Jimmy!” he said kindly. “Your bang on the head has upset you more than you think.” “But the letter?” asked Jimmy. “A little fake,” said Angel airily, “Mr. Spedding’s little _ballon d’essai_, so foolishly simple that I think Spedding must be losing his nerve and balance. I’d like to bet that this house is being watched to see the effect of the note.” (Angel would have won his bet.) “Now the only question is, what little program have they arranged for me this evening?” Jimmy was thoughtful. “I don’t know,” he said slowly, “but I should think it would be wiser for you to keep indoors. You might make me up a bed in your sitting-room, and if there is any bother, we can share it.” “And whistle to keep my courage up?” sneered Angel. “I’ll make you up a bed with all the pleasure in life; but I’m going out, Jimmy, and I’ll take you with me, if you’ll agree to come along and find a man who will replace that conspicuous white bandage by something less blood-curdling.”