To say that Mr. Froyant was furious is to employ a very mild expression to describe his hectic frenzy. “You told me, you practically promised me,” he stormed, “that the money would come back to me, and now you have come with a cock-and-bull story of being drugged. It is monstrous! Where were you, Parr?” “I was on the premises,” said Mr. Parr, “and the story Mr. Yale has told is correct.” Suddenly Froyant’s rage died down, so suddenly that the calmness of his voice was almost startling after its previous rancour. “All right,” he said, “nothing can be done. The Crimson Circle have had their money, and that is the end of it. I’m much obliged to you, Yale. Please send your bill to me.” And with these brusque instructions, he sent them to rejoin Jack, who was waiting in the street outside. “Well, that beats the band,” said Parr. “I thought at one time he was going to have a fit, and then did you notice how his manner changed?” Yale nodded slowly. At the moment of Froyant’s change of manner a great idea was formed in his mind, a tremendous and startling doubt that was almost paralysing. “And now,” said Parr good-humouredly, “as I have given you moral support, perhaps you will extend the same service to me. At police head-quarters I am not so much _persona grata_ as you. Come along and see the Commissioner and tell him what happened.” * * * * * Derrick Yale’s office was silent and deserted. Ten minutes had passed since the drone of the elevator announced the departure of the three men. The silence was broken by a click, and slowly the doors in the big cupboard in the corner of Derrick Yale’s office were pushed open and Thalia Drummond came out. She closed the doors behind her and stood for a while contemplating the room, deep in thought. From her pocket she took a key, opened the door and, passing into the corridor, locked the door behind her. She did not ring for the elevator. At the farther end of the passage was a flight of narrow stairs which communicated with the caretaker’s room, on the top floor, and which were used only by him. Down these she went. At the bottom was a door leading into the courtyard of a building. This, too, she unlocked and soon after had joined the throng of homeward bound clerks that thronged the pavement at this hour. Chapter XXIV. £10,000 Reward “The Associated Merchants Bank are authorised to offer a reward of ten thousand pounds for information which will lead to the arrest and conviction of the leader of what is known as the Crimson Circle Gang. In conjunction with this reward the Secretary of State promises a free pardon to any member of the gang, other than one actually guilty of wilful murder, providing that the said member will furnish the information and evidence requisite to the conviction of the man or woman known as the Crimson Circle.” On every hoarding, in every post office window, on every police station board, the announcement flared in blood-red print.