Just for an instant it looked as if Lefroy were about to transfer his spleen from Manfred to his host. But Frobisher had been told enough already. The cowardly blow said as plainly as words could speak that Frobisher had obtained the very treasure that Lefroy was after. He imagined that his secretary had played him false. And, moreover, he knew that Frobisher knew this. "You’ve got it," he said. He seemed to have a difficulty in swallowing something. "But you could not bring yourself to part with it. You couldn’t do it." "My good Lefroy, every man has his price, even you and I. My beloved Moth may not be a very good trap, but I shall find it a wonderfully efficient bait." "I dare say," Lefroy returned moodily. "Can I examine the flower closer?" "Certainly. Hafid, bring the extending steps this way. Be careful of those ropes and tangles. An active man like you could climb up the stays and bracket to the roof." Lefroy was a long time examining the flower. He was torn by envy and admiration. When he came down again his face was pale and his hands trembled. "The real thing," he said, "the real, palpitating, beautiful thing. But there is blood upon it." "Born in blood and watered with the stream of life. No, I am not going to tell you where I got it from. And now, my dear Lefroy, what will you take for your Koordstan concessions?" Lefroy said nothing, but there was a gleam in his downcast eyes. Then presently he broke into a laugh that jarred on the decorous silence of the place. "The game is yours," he said. "White to play and mate in three moves. Still there may be a way out. And, on the other hand, you must be very sure of your game to show me that. Lord, I’d give twopence to have you alone in a dark corner!" He rose abruptly, turned on his heel, and made for the door, followed by the white automaton with the bleeding lip. He could hear Frobisher’s diabolical chuckle as the big bronze gates closed behind him. It was perhaps the most silent meal ever partaken of at Frobisher’s. He was glad at length to see the last of his luncheon guests. Once in the streets Lefroy’s manner changed. He looked uneasy and downcast. "I’m sorry I hit you, Manfred," he said. "But when I caught sight of that infernal plant I felt sure that you had sold me. But even you couldn’t have carried the thing off quite so coolly as that. And yet—and yet there can’t be two Cardinal Moths in existence." "There are not," Manfred said impatiently. "That is the same one I hoped to have had in my possession to-night. Didn’t Frobisher say it had recently fallen into his hands?" "I recollect that now. Manfred, I’m done. And yet I regarded it as a certainty."