“Now I warn you this matter has gone as far as it is going,” he said impressively. “There are fifty thousand dollars in The Study safe, and I’ve no doubt in my mind that that is his objective, though how he came to know this----” “Fifty thousand!” she breathed. “That explains everything! You told me in one of your heart-to-heart talks that you always kept a thousand pounds, but not----” “This money was drawn to pay an American,” said Gordon impatiently. “There is no reason why I should explain why it is here. It is in the safe--that is sufficient.” Heloise had become very thoughtful. “Then he knew!” she said. “The piker! Wouldn’t that make you sore! Fifty thousand dollars--ten thousand pounds--seven hundred thousand francs--every mark in the world--and all to be cleaned up on his lonesome!” She was apparently oblivious of Gordon’s presence. The immensity of Dan’s treachery was all-absorbing. “So that’s why he wanted to work alone! ‘Get him to Ostend,’ he said, ‘and leave the rest to me!’ And the rest was fifty thousand dollars! That fellow couldn’t go straight if he was fired from a gun. Not a word to me either--he expected to get a thousand pounds, he said--it is the most unprofessional thing I’ve ever heard about in my life!” “My dear woman,” said Gordon testily, “the ethics of the case do not interest me----” “But he’s gonna split this two ways,” said Heloise grimly, “or my name is Johanna Dub. He’s going to act honest even if it hurts him. Yes, sir. There’s going to be honour amongst Double Dan and Heloise Chowster. Shame on you, Dan, you great big yegg!” The perfidy of the man had changed her whole outlook on life. Her very ideals were tottering. “He’ll split it no-ways, understand that!” Gordon was firm. “I will not see myself robbed. Do you think I’m a fool?” She searched his face for rebutting evidence. “Why, that idea certainly did occur to me,” she said mildly; and then her tone changed. Diana’s step was on the stair. “I won’t plead with you any more, Dan, there’s nothin’ to be gained. I--I wish you luck! Won’t you take my hand for the last time?” Bewildered, Gordon stared at her, then he saw Diana and understood. “Don’t let us part this way, Dan. I forgive you everything you’ve done. Good-bye, Dan, old friend.” She put out her hand timidly. Gordon could have smacked her. “Good-bye!” “You brute--take her hand at once!” hissed Diana. He took it limply. “All right--good-evening.” Diana knew that the criminal classes were callous, but she had never realised how brutal they could be. “Come with me, my dear,” she said. “You need not see him any more.” “Thank you,” said Gordon; “that’s the first kind thing you’ve said.” Diana treated him with the scorn he deserved. “Miss Ford”--Heloise was looking wistfully at her benefactress--“dare I ask you sump’n?” “Why, surely.” Heloise touched her skirt disparagingly.