He stepped into the room, and through the doorway he vacated Mr. Max came slinking. The unlovely face of the foe of suspicion was badly bruised, and he looked upon the world with no cheerful eye. Pushing aside one of the frail bedroom chairs as untrustworthy, the mayor sat down on the edge of Mr. Magee's bed. It creaked in protest. "You used us pretty rough last night in the snow," Cargan went on. "That's why I ain't disposed to go in for kid gloves and diplomacy this morning. It's my experience that when you're dealing with a man who's got the good old Irish name of Magee, it's best to hit first and debate afterward." "I--I used you roughly, Mr. Cargan?" said Magee. "No debate, mind you," protested the mayor. "Lou and me are making this morning call to inquire after a little package that went astray somewhere last night. There's two courses open to you--hand over the package or let us take it. I'll give you a tip--the first is the best. If we have to take it, we might get real rough in our actions." Mr. Max slipped closer to the bed, an ugly look on his face. The mayor glared fixedly into Magee's eyes. The knight who fought for fair ladies in the snow lay on his pillow and considered briefly. "I get what I go after," remarked Cargan emphatically. "Yes," sparred Magee, "but the real point is keeping what you get after you've gone after it. You didn't make much of an impression on me last night in that line, Mr. Cargan." "I never cared much for humor," replied the mayor, "especially at this early hour of the morning." "And I hate a fresh guy," put in Max, "like poison." "I'm not fresh," Mr. Magee smiled, "I'm stating facts. You say you've come for that package. All right--but you've come to the wrong room. I haven't got it." "The hell you haven't," roared the mayor. "Lou, look about a bit." "Look about all you like," agreed Magee. "You won't find it. Mr. Cargan, I admit that I laid for you last night. I saw you open the safe according to the latest approved methods, and I saw you come forth with a package of money. But I wasn't rough with you. I might have been, to be frank, but somebody beat me to it." "Who?" "The man with the seventh key, I suppose. The man Bland heard walking about last night when we were at dinner. Don't tell me you didn't see him in that mix-up at the foot of the steps?" "Well--I did think there was another guy," the mayor answered, "but Lou said I was crazy." "Lou does you an injustice. There was another guy, and if you are anxious to recover your precious package, I advise you to wake him up to the responsibilities of the day, not me." The mayor considered. Mr. Max, who had hastily made the rounds of the three rooms, came back with empty hands.