“Is it possible that _you_ went in chase of the _Wizard_? Why, that little matter was laid down for the astute Mr. Kenyon’s private use.” The watcher saw Farbush start. “Kenyon!” exclaimed the man. “Why, to be sure. I was confident that, with his infernal cleverness, he’d think of the yacht when he found that Anna had gotten the securities.” “Ah! So you admit the cracking of the safe now?” Farbush leaned toward the younger man, and his thin lips curled back from his teeth. “You denied it strongly enough upon the night that it was done.” “I still deny it,” answered Forrester. He seated himself beside the table and began gathering up the securities. “In fact I don’t mind admitting that such a neat and effective job is entirely beyond me.” Hong Yo and Farbush exchanged glances. “The securities were locked in the safe,” said Hong Yo. “And you admit that Anna took them; then she--or you--must have forced the safe.” “Your conclusion is natural enough,” replied Forrester, “but is scarcely correct. Anna did get the securities, as I said, but not from your safe,” to Farbush. “No,” said the girl, “from Dallas Gilbert.” The two men started, but said nothing; Forrester smiled. “You will be astonished to hear, I feel sure, that Dallas and Kenyon have established a sort of co-partnership in this matter of ours. He was on the premises upon the night the safe was opened; in fact, I’m quite convinced that it was he that did the opening.” There was a moment’s silence; then Hong Yo said: “Yesterday you would have surprised us with this; but not now. We were quite convinced, last night, that Kenyon, like yourself, is playing a game of his own.” “And we may astonish _you_ some,” spoke Farbush, “by telling you that not only is he leagued with Dallas Gilbert, but with young Philip Austin, as well.” Forrester stared; Anna clasped her hands, nervously. “I saw Austin with Kenyon last night,” said Farbush, “as plainly as I see you now.” Both Forrester and Anna were visibly amazed; but not any more than was Kenyon himself. “That’s a point that I missed, somehow,” he muttered. “Either that, or it’s some sort of a blind to fool Forrester.” “But all this has no real connection with our visit,” said Hong Yo, hollowly. “The Stalker said that you had a matter of importance to settle with us.” “I have,” replied Forrester. He placed his hand upon the packet of securities. “It is about these.” Hong Yo coughed. The almost fleshless hand trembled as he lifted it to his lips; then he said: “I imagined that. But go on.” “I want to withdraw from the arrangement that we made. I am not fitted to carry it out. As you are aware, I cannot go far enough. This booty is to be my share; the remainder I leave for you and Farbush.” “Oh!” The burning little eyes shone through the puckered, slanting lids; the bloodless lips smiled. It was like the horrid mirth of a demon in a mediæval poem.