"Good," said Boland. "Druce," he went on, "I'm pleased with the way you've handled this. Here's something to prove it." He took a document from his breast pocket and passed it across the table. It was the lease. "Thanks," said Druce, keenly pleased by an inspection of the papers, "that looks good to me." "It's yours," returned Boland, "but of course I expect you to carry out your part of the contract." "How about Harry?" "No need to worry about that. He'll be here." "Well, we're waiting on him." There was a pause. Neither man seemed to know how to continue the conversation. Druce broke the silence. "Boland," he asked, "what have you got against this girl?" Boland resented the question, but was compelled to answer. "She wants to marry my son. I don't think she's fit to marry him. If she were, she wouldn't be in a place like this." Druce laughed unpleasantly. "You know very well," he replied, "that she wouldn't be here if I hadn't managed it for you." Boland made no reply for this. Druce went on. "Tell me," he demanded, "on the square, now, is that all you've got against this girl?" "Just what do you mean by that, Druce?" demanded Boland, eying him calmly. "Didn't you know the Welcomes before this girl came into your son's life?" Boland turned very pale. "That's an idiotic question," he answered. "How would a man in my position know people like the Welcomes?" "When I was in Millville," replied Druce evenly, "I heard a good deal about old Tom Welcome. It seems that someone stole an invention from him." "Just why should I be interested in that story?" "I don't know," replied Druce. "It just struck me that you might be. There was no harm in asking, was there?" Boland ignored the question. "Look here," he said, changing the subject, "suppose you get this lease from me, are you sure you can continue doing business as you are without police interference?" Druce laughed and picked up the receiver of the telephone which stood on the table. There was an attachment that enabled Boland to hear at the same time. He handed the second receiver to the master of the Electric Trust. "What's the idea?" inquired Boland. "I'm just going to answer your question." He called for a number. "That's police station R," said Boland. "I know," replied Druce, "just listen." "Hello," he said presently, "is this you, Cap?" Boland heard a familiar voice answer affirmatively. "This is Druce talking," the dive-owner went on, "Druce of the Cafe Sinister. Say, we'll be open all night tonight. Don't make any trouble for us, you understand. Just let your fellows know that they're not to hear anything that goes on in this beat. I'll send McEdwards around in the morning with a special envelope for you. Get me?" Druce cut off the two telephones. "Well," he asked triumphantly, "what do you think of that?" Boland laughed cynically.