“It is a beautiful country. A wonderful country!” mused Dempsi. The click of the door as Diana disappeared brought him to his feet, and his expression had undergone a remarkable change. He looked down at Heloise keenly, as he rasped: “Now, where is that money?” Heloise glanced at the door, looked over her shoulder: the room was empty. “You know where it is, Sally!” he said harshly. “Now come across!” She was not sad any more; on the contrary, she was on the verge of fury. Hands on hips, she faced him. “Say, Dan, you’re the cleverest thing in male impersonators I know,” she said shrilly. “I guess I wouldn’t be surprised to see you come into this room disguised as a performing flea. But the innocent child is outside your repertoire. You wouldn’t last three bars as Little Eva. Who took the money? You cheap skate! You’re not going to put that over on me! You took the money. You took it, and helped that poor fool make a getaway at the same time. I guess you were working on the safe when he came in.” “You lie!” He was beside himself with wrath. “I came in after you’d got it out. I didn’t mean to shoot--I guess that was the maddest thing I ever did. But I saw this guy getting through the window, and I guessed what happened. He gave you the money to let him escape!” She showed her white teeth in a grimace of fury. “You mean I’ve got it right now? In my pocket?” “Sure I mean that,” he said doggedly. She heaved up a long, impatient sigh. “You’re going to hear from my husband’s lawyers! That’s what! And right here and now I’m telling you sump’n, you four-flushin’ dog! You took the money, and shot that poor boob when he came in to see who it was breaking the tin! What were you doing in the room all dressed up ready to jump the first train out of London--and leave me flat? You sneak! Haven’t I worked hard for you? Haven’t I sat for hours making an exhibition of my darned ego for that soul-lizard? Didn’t I get out of him the story of Diana, and give you the script and band parts and light cues? Didn’t I pump him till there was noth’n’ left but the squeak and the handle? And--do--you--dare--to turn me down?” He dared nothing. Her victory was complete when he began to make excuses. “There was fifty thousand dollars in that safe. All I’ve got is a crossed cheque that’s as useful as confetti at a funeral. It will take two days to clear: Selsbury will be back to-night.” “Fifty thousand dollars!” she sneered. “You told me nothing about that. Maybe you forgot it? You said there wasn’t a thousand pounds in the job. Didn’t you? You said you’d be glad if you got back expenses. Am I lying? And what’s that cheque anyway? Money she owed Dempsi? Great snakes--the money Dempsi threw at her! I told you that, and I’d forgotten it!” She ran her fingers through her hair. Her smile was fixed and terrifying. The smile of the Medusas was jocund by comparison.