“Tell the men to lower their hands,” said Westerham, “and you can put your own hands down.” Melun gave the order in a surly voice. “Thank you!” said Westerham. All this had passed in complete silence on the part of Lord Penshurst's guests. Lord Penshurst also was far too astonished to speak. “You must forgive my intrusion,” Westerham said, now addressing the Prime Minister, “but I must ask you to allow me to have a word with this man.” He pointed to Melun. Without more ado he came down the staircase from the musicians' gallery and walked over to Melun's side. “You are an impudent scoundrel, Captain Melun,” he whispered in the captain's ear, “but I will put a stop to this. You will have to call your men off and restore all that property.” “I shall do nothing of the kind!” snarled Melun. “You won't, eh?” said Westerham. “Well, we will see. “You know,” he added, still whispering, “that Lord Penshurst is perfectly acquainted with your identity. The guests are in ignorance, and therein lies your safety. But how many would recognise you if they could see your face?” Melun shot a vindictive look through his mask at Westerham. “And so,” continued Westerham, quietly, “I will give you five seconds to make up your mind. You either order all these jewels to be restored to their proper owners or I will tear the mask from your face.” “For Heaven's sake don't do that,” cried Melun in a low voice. “But it will cost you your life, for I shall not be able to hold the men.” “I shall not bother you to do so,” said Westerham; “I can manage them quite well myself.” Still keeping Captain Melun under observation, he turned about, while his revolver covered the man who had collected the jewels. “Come here!” he ordered. The man came forward. “Give me your gun!” The man handed over his six-shooter without a word, and Westerham placed it carefully on the floor. “Now right-about!” he ordered, “and get the other men's weapons.” The ruffian in the mask hesitated. “They will shoot me and you, governor,” he said thickly. “You had better be shot at by them than by me,” said Westerham. “My aim rarely fails. Do as you're told.” Westerham then turned to the other men. “All of you,” he said, “will have to give up your guns. If necessary, Captain Melun and I will see that you do it. However, I should recommend you to be quick. I warned Scotland Yard before I left London of what was about to happen here, and within a few minutes this place will be swarming with police.” The men fidgeted uneasily and looked helplessly at Melun. Melun wisely decided to assist Westerham. “It's true,” he said, “and you'd better be quick.” At this there was a good deal of grumbling, and one of the men cried out that they had been betrayed. Westerham turned on him sharply. “I am compounding a felony,” he cried; “but still, if you are quick, you will get away. I won't detain you.”