Morrell, momentarily taken aback, gained time for a reply by pouring Sansome another drink, "He's more sense left than I thought," he said to himself; and aloud: "All you want is to get her out to Jake's. She'll go simply as a matter of wifely duty, and all that. Don't worry. Once she's there, it's your affair; and unless I mistake my man, I believe you'll know how to manage the situation"--he winked slyly--"she's really mad about you, but, like most women, she's hemmed in by convention. Boldly break through the convention, and she'll come around." Sansome was plainly fascinated by the idea, but in a trepidation of doubt, nevertheless. "But suppose she doesn't come around?" he objected vaguely. Morrell threw aside his cigarette and arose with an air of decision. "I thought you were so crazy mad about her?" he said in tones that cut. "What are you wasting my time for?" "No, no! Hold on!" cried Sansome, at once all fire again. "I'll do it--hold on!" "As a matter of fact," observed Morrell, reseating himself, and speaking as though there had been no interruption, "I imagine you have little to fear from that." He went into the street a little later, his vision somewhat blurred, but his mind clear. Sansome, by now very pot-valiant, swaggered alongside. "By the way, Ben," said Morrell suddenly, "I hope you go armed--these are bad times." "I have always carried a derringer--and I can use it, too!" boasted Sansome, swinging his cane. Morrell, left alone, stood on the corner for some time diligently engaged in getting control of himself. He laughed a little. "Regular bally melodrama, conspiracy and all, right off the blood-and-thunder stage," said he. "Wonder if it works in real life? We'll see." After his head had cleared, he set to work methodically to find Keith, but when he finally met that individual it was most casually. Morrell was apparently in a hurry, but as he saw Keith he appeared to hesitate, then, making up his mind, he approached the young lawyer. "Look here, Keith, a word with you," he said. "I have stumbled on some information which may be important. I was on my way to the committee with it, but I'm in a hurry. The governor is shipping arms into the city to-morrow night from Benicia, by a small sloop." "Are you sure of this?" asked Keith. "Certain." "Where did you get the information?" "That I cannot tell you." Keith still hesitated; Morrell turned on his heel. "Well, I've told you. You can do as you please, but you'd better let the committee decide whether to take the tip or not." He walked away without once looking back, certain that Keith would end by reporting the information.