“Well, I will hear you,” she replied, gazing at the crafty, determined face of her visitor. What Nancy Selig had to say may easily be imagined, and she wound up her threatening remarks with the announcement that Lady Deland must pay ten thousand dollars for the return of the document and her letter to Senator Barclay, or that both would be sent to her husband the moment he returned to Washington. Lady Deland played her part consistently, now and then receiving a signal from Nick, and evincing apprehensions that soon convinced Nancy Selig of her own ultimate success. “All you need do is go with me and pay down the money,” she announced, at length. “When you return home, you’ll have the two papers.” “But I haven’t so much money in the house,” Lady Deland protested. “Draw it from the bank,” said Nance curtly. “There still is time.” “Where am I to go with you?” “To a house a few miles from the city.” Lady Deland demurred over that, pretending that she feared to do so, and she wound up with insisting that she would go only in her own touring car, in company with her maid and chauffeur. Nancy Selig objected strongly to that, and for several minutes the argument between the two women continued, but the outlook for success finally overcame Nancy’s objections. “Well, I agree to that, then,” she said, with a threatening frown. “But you’re not to leave me, or have any talk with them that I cannot hear. I’ll ride with you and go into the bank with you. I’ll not stand for any monkey business, you can bet on that.” “There will be no monkey business, whatever that is,” said Lady Deland coldly. “Call your maid here, then, and give her your directions,” snapped Nancy. “Send for the chauffeur, too, so we can make a quick get-away.” Lady Deland touched a bell on the library table. Nick entered from the hall half a minute later. “Send my maid, Hawley,” said Lady Deland; Nance constantly watching her. “Yes, your ladyship,” bowed Nick. Another half minute brought Patsy Garvan into the room, so cleverly made up as a girl as to have deceived the most discerning observer. “Put on your outside garments, Lucy, and bring mine to the front hall,” said Lady Deland. “Yes, madame,” said Patsy demurely. “Also tell Hawley to send James to the front door with the touring car,” added Lady Deland. “I want both of you to go with me for a few hours.” “Yes, madame.” Patsy bowed and withdrew. Nick already was on his way to the garage. Lady Deland opened her desk in the library and removed a bank book. “Now, woman, I am ready,” she said coldly. She was not more ready than Nancy Selig, who now felt sure that she was not being tricked. Five minutes later the touring car, driven by Nick, with Patsy on the seat beside him and with Lady Deland and Nance in the tonneau, sped away from the house and turned toward the business section of the city.