"Yes; I shall call for help," she repeated, crossing to the telephone. I leaned forward as she stood in front of it. I caught her bare arm, in my left hand, just below the elbow. As I drew it backward it brought her body against mine, pinning her other arm down close against my side. The thing was repugnant to me, but it was necessary. As I pinioned her there, writhing and panting, I deliberately thrust my right hand into the open bosom of her gown. I was dimly conscious of a faint aura of perfume, of a sense of warmth behind the soft and lace-fringed _corsage_. But it was the key itself that redeemed the rude assault and brought a gasp of relief to my lips--the huge brass key, as big as an egg beater. "_Lâche!_" I heard gasped into my ear. The woman staggered to a chair, white to the lips; and for a moment or two I thought she was going to faint. "Oh, you _dog_!" she gasped, as she sat there panting and staring at me with blazing eyes. "_Cochon_! Cur!" But I paid little heed to her, for the wine of victory was already coursing and tingling through my veins. "You know, you can still call the police," I told her as I faced the heavy black door of the safe. One turn of the wrist, I knew, would bring me face to face with my prize. A sudden movement from the woman, as I stooped over the safe door, brought me round in a flash. She was on her feet and half-way across the room before I could intercept her. And I was not any too gentle, I'm afraid, for the excitement of the thing had gone to my head. That earlier assault at my hands seemed to have intimidated her. I could see actual terror in her eyes as I forced her back against the wall. She must have realized her helplessness. She stared up into my face, bewildered, desperate. There was something supple and panther-like about her, something alluring and yet disturbing. I could see what an effective weapon that sheer physical beauty of hers might be, once its tigerish menace had been fully sheathed. "Wait!" she cried, catching at my arm. "If there is anything you want I will give it to you." "There are several things I want," was my uncompromising answer. "But why should you want them?" she asked, still clinging to my arm. "It's my duty to take them," I replied, unconscious of any mendacity. "That's what I'm sent here for! That's why I've watched the man who gave you the packet!" "What packet?" "The packet you took in Madison Square an hour ago; the packet you locked in this safe! And if you like I'll tell you just what that packet is!" "This is some mistake, some very sad mistake," she had the effrontery to declare. Her arm still clung to me. Her face was very close to mine as she went on. "I can explain everything, if you will only give me the time--everything! I can show you where you are wrong, and how you may suffer through a mistake like this!"