"I'll interfere," said O'Neill, "and I'll interfere strong--if I think you fellows ain't leaving enough of little Manuel for me to caress--" The door opened, and the immaculate proprietor of the _Mail_ came noiselessly into the room. His eyes narrowed when they fell on the strangers there. "Are you Manuel Gonzale?" Minot demanded. "I--I am." The sly little eyes darted everywhere. "Proprietor of the _Mail_?" "Yes." "The gentleman who visited Lord Harrowby an hour back?" "Man! Man! You're wasting time," O'Neill cried. "Excuse me," smiled Minot. "Unintentional, I assure you." He seized the little Spaniard suddenly by the collar. "We're here for Lord Harrowby's letters," he said. His other hand began a rapid search of Manuel Gonzale's pockets. "Let me go, you thief," screamed the proprietor of the _Mail_. He squirmed and fought. "Let me go!" He writhed about to face his editors. "You fools! What are you doing, standing there? Help me--help--" "We're waiting," said O'Neill. "Waiting for our turn. Remember your promise, son. Enough of him left for me." Minot and his captive slid back and forth across the floor. The three others watched, O'Neill in high glee. "Go to it!" he cried. "That's Madame On Dit you're waltzing with. I speak for the next dance, Madame." Mr. Minot's eager hand came away from the Spaniard's inner waistcoat pocket, and in it was a packet of perfumed letters, tied with a cute blue ribbon. He released his victim. "Sorry to be so impolite," he said. "But I had to have these to-night." Gonzale turned on him with an evil glare. "Thief!" he cried. "I'll have the law on you for this." "I doubt that," smiled Minot. "Jack, I guess that about concludes our business with the _Mail_." He turned to Howe and O'Neill. "You boys look me up at the De la Pax. I want to wish you bon voyage when you start north. For the present--good-by." And he and Paddock departed. "You're a fine pair," snarled Gonzale, when the door had closed. "A fine pair to take my salary money, and then stand by and see me strangled." "You're not strangled yet," said O'Neill. He came slowly toward his employer, like a cat stalking a bird. "Did you get my emphasis on the word yet?" Gonzale paled beneath his lemon skin, and got behind a desk. "Now, boys," he pleaded, "I didn't mean anything. I'll be frank with you--I have been a little indiscreet here. But that's all over now. It would be dangerous to try any more--er--deals at present. And I want you to stay on here until I can get new men in your places." "Save your breath," said O'Neill through his teeth. "Your work has been excellent--excellent," went on Gonzale hastily. "I feel I am not paying you enough. Stay on with me until your week is up. I will give you a hundred each when you go--and I give you my word I'll attempt nothing dangerous while you are here." He retreated farther from O'Neill.