But there was an interruption. Kate Gilbert came in from the adjoining room. The masked man whirled to meet her. "You should not--" he began. "It makes no difference," Kate Gilbert said. "This man knows me, or he would not have been set to spying on me. Sidney Prale knows that I am associated with his enemies, since I was talking to him to-day. It is not necessary for _me_ to mask my face!" "It really was not necessary for you to come," said the masked man. "This fellow refuses to have anything to do with us." "I cannot blame him. You used violence to get him here. I am afraid that I should refuse to have business relations with a man who knocked me on the head." "It was the only way. We couldn't approach him on the street very well. We have him here now and perhaps may be able to force him to see the light." "I shall not countenance more violence!" Kate Gilbert said. "I told you in the beginning that force was not to be used. This man is not to be blamed in any way. He merely is an employee of the man we are fighting." "I think it justifiable to use any method that will get results," the masked man told her. "You seem to forget----" "I do not forget!" Kate Gilbert cried. "Who has a better right to hope to see Sidney Prale punished? Who has suffered more than I and mine? But I do not wish to see violence used. This man may be made to help us, but I fear you have taken the wrong method. And what do you intend doing now?" "Perhaps it will be as well for you to return home and allow us to handle this part of the affair," the masked man told her. "No woman likes violence, of course, but at times it is necessary. We are going to leave him here to-night to think things over. He will be stiff and sore and hungry in the morning." "But----" Kate Gilbert protested. "It is the better way, I assure you--and quite necessary. This thing is so big that it must be handled with firmness and decision. You have aided us greatly, but I think it will be a mistake to let you take command of the situation." Kate Gilbert's eyes flashed angrily, and her face flushed. "Very well, sir," she said. "But let me talk to this man alone. Perhaps common sense and kindness will prevail where violence did not. I sincerely hope so." "I am willing to let you talk to him, but you are to be guarded in your speech. Tell him nothing about the real affair; we want to be sure of him before we take him fully into our confidence. All we wish him to do is to keep us informed about Prale and Jim Farland, and any others who may be helping Prale." "I understand, and I am not quite a fool!" Kate Gilbert told him, still angry. The masked man motioned the two thugs out of the room, and then followed them, closing the door behind him. Kate Gilbert sat down in the chair before the sofa, and looked at Murk.