There was a little bead of perspiration on the smooth forehead of the crook. "I don't believe you are lying to me," he said earnestly, "but you're all wrong somehow. That girl has not the faintest strain of crookedness in her. Supposing that all you've heard about me is true. Have you known me to do a dirty thing?" "That's a large question. They say you keep faith with your confederates." "I do more than that. I play the game as I see it. And I give you my word, Mr. Labar, that Penelope Noelson had no hand directly or indirectly in this crime." "That won't help her," said Labar, grimly. "Meaning that you want to get at me through her. Well, go ahead and prove something on me, Mr. Inspector. We're absolutely alone here. Stand very still if you please." The blue barrel of an automatic stared at Labar, and Hughes' finger was tensed on the trigger. "I hate to pull a gun," he went on, "and I'd hate still more to use it. But you leave me no option. There's a man of yours out there watching the house, and I don't want him butting in. So make one single move to your whistle and I'll blow you full of holes." "What's the game?" demanded Labar, placidly. "I'll show you." Hughes came nearer, and still keeping the detective covered, thrust his left hand into the other's breast pocket. He withdrew the photograph. "This is my property. See here." He replaced the automatic in his pocket, and tore the portrait to strips. "That's that. Just one little bit of evidence against Miss Noelson gone. Now you may go, too." Labar took it all gracefully. "Thank you," he said. "I'll be back." "Oh, no you won't," disagreed Hughes. "If you try it I'll have the servants throw you out. Good-bye, Mr. Labar." He accompanied the detective inspector to the front door, and as soon as it had closed behind him, returned and summoned a servant. "Tom," he demanded, "did you ever read Bacon?" "I don't know that I have, sir." "No, I scarcely expected it. He's not a popular novelist. He says that in preparation it is good to realise dangers, and in action wisest to disregard them. So I shan't go to Kempton Park to-day. I'm wanting the car at once, and you'll come with me. We're going to disregard a danger." CHAPTER VI