Old King Brady was determined to know her, however, and he seized her long crepe veil and attempted to remove it from her face. A subdued cry of anger escaped her. "Let that be!" she exclaimed, imperiously. "Madam, I must see who you are!" he persisted. "Is this the gratitude you show for the favor I have done you?" "You have aroused my curiosity." "Stand back, sir. Don't you dare lay a hand on me again." "Why," he laughed, "is it dangerous?" "Very!" "How?" She drew a slender dagger from the folds of her dark dress, and as the lamplight glanced upon the blade, it flashed as she drew it back. Old King Brady was startled. He did not expect to see anything like this. Raising the dagger, the mysterious woman hissed: "If you attempt to penetrate my identity, I shall stab you!" There was a ring of intense earnestness to her voice, and it froze the smile that rose to the old detective's face. He regarded her with a puzzled look. It now began to dawn upon his mind that she was not Mrs. La Croix after all. The voice was different. She was shorter and stouter than the smuggler's wife. Her actions were different. To gain time to form a different tactic he exclaimed: "How can you be a friend of mine if you are going to stab me?" "I am bound to keep my identity a secret," she replied, firmly. "What object have you in befriending me?" "You are a brave man and a dutiful officer. I know you are only following up this case because you were ordered to do so. I therefore don't wish to see you perish." "How do you know I'm doomed to get killed?" "Because I heard your enemies plot your destruction." "In that case they know we are here on their trail?" "Yes. Every move you make is being keenly watched by spies." "Our enemies must be well-disguised and keep well under cover." "You haven't thus far detected them, have you?" "No," admitted Old King Brady. "Then that shows how secure they are. A number of times they have been as close to you as I am. Yet you did not know it. By this you can realize how easy it would be for them to attack you unexpectedly, kill you, and escape." "Even that thought won't scare me off the case." "You are very obstinate and persevering." "Those two elements will yet make me win this fight." "Foolish man. Don't delude yourself. Your enemies are very powerful people. They will beat you in the end." "I don't agree with your idea." "Is my warning in vain?" "Entirely so." The veiled woman sighed and bowed her head in thought. Finally she strode away, saying in impatient tones: "Very well. Since I can't dissuade you from your set purpose, I shall not bother myself any further about the matter." She seemed to be very angry at the old detective. He strode after her. "Wait a moment longer!" he exclaimed. "No. I have no more to say," she replied, sharply. "Don't attempt to follow me. If you do, it will be as much as your life is worth." "Humbug!" he replied. "So you doubt me, eh? Well, look behind you."