"I always carry a few blank checks in my handbag--and fortunately, I have it with me. You were careful to wrap it in with my arms. I will get it." She went into her room. In a moment she returned, the blank check in her fingers, and handed it to him. It was of a delicate robin's-egg blue, with "The Tuscarora Trust Company" printed across the face in a darker shade, and her monogram, in gold, at the upper end. "Is it sufficiently individual to raise a presumption of regularity?" she said. "Undoubtedly!" he answered. "Then, let us understand each other," she said. "By all means," he agreed. "I give you my check for two hundred thousand dollars, duly executed, payable to my order, and endorsed by me, which, when paid, you, on behalf of your associates and yourself, engage to accept in lieu of the amount demanded from Mr. Croyden, and to release Miss Carrington and myself forthwith." "There is one thing more," he said. "You, on your part, are to stipulate that no attempt will be made to arrest us." "We will engage that _we_ will do nothing to apprehend you." "Directly or indirectly?" he questioned. "Yes!--more than that is not in our power. You will have to assume the general risk you took when you abducted us." "We will take it," was the quiet answer. "Is there anything else?" she asked. "I think not--at least, everything is entirely satisfactory to us." "Despite the fact that it couldn't be made so!" she smiled. "I didn't know we had to deal with a woman of such business sense and--wealth," he answered gallantly. She smiled. "If you will get me ink and pen, I will sign the check," she said. She filled it in for the amount specified, signed and endorsed it. Then she took, from her handbag, a correspondence card, embossed with her initials, and wrote this note: "Hampton, Md. "Nov. --'10. "My dear Mr. Thompson:-- "I have made a purchase, down here, and my check for Two Hundred Thousand dollars, in consideration, will come through, at once. Please see that it is paid, promptly. "Yours very sincerely, "Elaine Cavendish. "To James Thompson, Esq'r., "Treasurer, The Tuscarora Trust Co., "Northumberland." She addressed the envelope and passed it and the card across to Mr. Jones, together with the check. "If you will mail this, to-night, it will provide against any chance of non-payment," she said. "You are a marvel of accuracy," he answered, with a bow. "I would I could always do business with you." "At two hundred thousand the time? No! no! monsieur, I pray thee, no more!" There was a knock on the door; the maid entered and spoke in a low tone to Jones. He nodded. "I am sorry to inconvenience you again," he said, turning to them, "but I must trouble you to go aboard the tug." "The tug--on the water?" Elaine exclaimed.