Gladwin went, determined this time that he must arm himself with some weapon, even if it were one of the rusted old bowie knives of his grandfather that ornamented the wall of his den. He estimated accurately that he would prove a poor weak reed in the hands of that Hercules in evening dress, and while the thought of a knife sickened him, he was impelled to seek one. As he mounted the stairs the thief strode to the table near the window and gathered up Helen's opera cloak and handed it to her. "Now, go quickly," he urged; "my car is just across the street. There is no time to argue your absurd suspicions." "No, I shan't go," retorted Helen, accepting the cloak and backing away. "So you believe that man?" he asked reproachfully. "I am afraid I do," she said firmly. "Then I'll show you mighty quick you're wrong," he cried, as a crowning bluff. "He's probably some spy sent by your aunt. I'll get my man in here and will have him arrested after you and I have gone. Wait here--I shan't be a moment." As the door slammed after him Helen ran to the window and then back to the door. She was now terribly alarmed on another score. She feared to go out and she feared to remain in the house. She feared physically--feared violence. Travers Gladwin had found the bowie knife and slipped it into his trousers pocket. Then he had gone down the stairs on the run. As he entered the room and saw that the man had gone he said: "Is he running away--and without his pictures or his hat and coat. What's his game, I wonder." "He's coming back--he says my aunt sent you here," said Helen, but less afraid at his return to the room. "Never mind what he says," Gladwin returned, gesturing excitedly. "You must go home--now. To-morrow you can learn the truth." "But if I go out he'll be sure to see me," she protested. Gladwin looked about him and thought a moment. "Do you see that little alcove back of the stairs," he said quickly, pointing. Helen crossed the room and nodded. "Well, hide in there," he commanded. "The curtains will conceal you. If he and his man come back I'll get them in this room--then I'll press this button, see?" He indicated a button and added: "That rings a buzzer; you can hear it from the alcove, and then slip out the front door." The girl paused but an instant, then fled to the place of shelter. CHAPTER XXXII. IN WHICH BLUFF IS TRUMPS. Having disposed of the girl for the moment, Travers Gladwin decided it was time to call Michael Phelan to his assistance. There was no telling what this amazing crook might do now. He was too much for him. That a thief and impostor could possess such superhuman nerve had never occurred to his untutored mind. He was a perfect dub to have let the situation reach such a stage of complexity, though the one thought uppermost in his mind was to save Helen from public ridicule and contempt.