‘Redgrave is caught, and won’t be let loose in a hurry. These two girls of yours are also in safe hands. Nothing has been omitted. I have here a list of the firms who have been acting for you in the Princesse shares. I have also written out certain instructions to them which you will sign. I have also prepared a power of attorney, authorizing me to act in your name in the matter of these shares. You will sign these documents. I will have them sent to the City and put into operation this morning, and as soon as I have satisfied myself that all has been done that might be done you will be set free--perhaps in a couple of days.’ Richard saw that Raphael Craig made no sign of any sort. Simon Lock continued: ‘You did not expect that I should proceed to extreme measures of this kind. You thought that the law of England would be sufficient to protect you from physical compulsion. You thought I should never dare. How foolish of you! As if I should permit myself to be ruined by an old man with a bee in his bonnet; an old man whose desire is not to make money--I could have excused that--but to work a melodramatic revenge. If you want melodrama you shall have it, Craig, and more of it than you think for.’ ‘Why don’t you give me up to the police?’ said Raphael Craig, opening his eyes and yawning. ‘You’ve got Featherstone’s confession, as you call it. Surely that would be simpler than all this rigmarole.’ The manager’s voice was pregnant with sarcasm. ‘I will tell you,’ said Lock frankly; ‘there is no reason why I should not: I have lost the confounded thing, or it has been stolen.’ He laughed harshly. ‘However, that’s no matter. I can dispense with that--now.’ ‘You can’t do anything,’ returned Craig. ‘You’ve got me here--you and your gang between you. But you can’t do anything. In three days your ruin will be complete.’ ‘Not do anything!’ said Simon Lock; ‘there are ways and means of compulsion. There are worse things than death, Craig. You decline to sign?’ Raphael closed his eyes again, coldly smiling. ‘Terrell,’ called Simon Lock sharply, ‘bring the----’ But what horrible, unmentionable things Terrell was to bring in will never be known, for at that instant Richard rushed madly into the room. He saw a revolver lying on the desk in front of Simon Lock. He frantically snatched it up, and stood fronting Simon Lock. ‘Well done, Redgrave!’ said the old man. Simon’s face went like white paper. ‘So “Redgrave is caught,” is he?’ said Richard to Lock. Without taking his eye off the financier, he stepped backwards and secured the door. ‘Now, Mr. Lock, we are together once more, we three. Don’t utter a word, but go and cut those ropes from Mr. Craig’s arms. Go, I say.’ Richard had a revolver in each hand. He put one down, and took a penknife from his pocket. ‘Stay; here is a knife,’ he added. ‘Now cut.’ [Illustration: 0322]