These observations were interrupted by the entrance of the newcomer. He paused at the threshold, evidently to salute, for Poritol and Alcatrante bowed low. Then quick steps crossed the floor and into view came a nervous but assured-looking little figure--a Japanese, but undoubtedly a man of great dignity. His manner of sharp authority would be hard to dispute, for it was supported by a personality that seemed to be stronger than Alcatrante's. Who he was Orme could not guess, but that he was somebody of importance it was easy to see. The stranger bowed again and addressed himself to Alcatrante. The conversation was carried on in French. "It is well that you communicated with me, sir," he said, "we were working at cross-purposes when, in reality, our interests were identical." Alcatrante bowed. "I came to that conclusion late last night," he said. "I do not deny that it would have pleased me to carry the affair through by myself." "Yes, your position would then have been stronger." The Japanese smiled faintly. "But," continued Alcatrante, with a slight grimace, "the activity of your men made that impossible. I have no lieutenants such as yours." He shot an ugly gleam at Poritol, whose sudden assumption of fearsome humility was in strange contrast to his usual self-assurance. "As we hold the documents"--the Japanese spoke with great distinctness-- "you will necessarily admit our advantage. That means, you will understand, a smaller commission on the next contract." Alcatrante twisted his face into the semblance of a smile. "Not too small, or we cannot undertake the work," he said. "No, not too small," the stranger agreed calmly, "but smaller than the last. You must not forget that there are others who would gladly do the same work." "Yes, but at best they cannot get the terms we get." "Possibly. That is a matter still to be determined. Meantime we have assumed that our interests in this document are identical. Let us test it." "One word first," said Alcatrante. "I take it that, if our interests are sympathetic with yours, we may count on your protection?" "Most assuredly." "Then----?" "Then we shall see. My fairness is clear in that I give you a sight of the document with myself. I might have denied all knowledge of it." Alcatrante smiled as if to say: "I already knew so much that you could not risk that." The stranger turned to Arima and said something in Japanese. Arima replied, and the stranger explained to Alcatrante: "I asked about my man Maku. The American struck him on the head last night, and injured him. But he is recovering. He is troublesome--that American." Orme started. His head bumped against the table. "What's that?" exclaimed Poritol, advancing. "There's something under that table!" He stooped to lift the cover. One chance flashed into Orme's mind. Quickly he seized the cat, which was still sleeping against his knee, and pushed it under the table-cover. It walked out into the room, mewing plaintively.