“How this man loves life and its good things,” Dick thought, sympathetically, as his gaze wandered from one article of luxury to another, and on to another room, where, just through the portire, he could see a brass cage, in which a yellow canary was jumping restlessly about, and a small aquarium, up through which came a spraying fountain. He could even see goldfish swimming about and a little dark turtle run its head out of the water and then dive down again to the bottom of the basin. “I suppose you know why I came to see you?” Dick said at last, when he saw Mr. Bike would not introduce any subject. “No, I can’t say that I do,” Mr. Bike responded, with affected indifference. “Well, I want to know all about Lucille Williams,” he said abruptly. “What right have you to come to me for such information?” Mr. Bike asked coldly. “Because you induced the girl to leave her home,” Dick replied positively, “and I want to know all you have to tell about the rest of it.” “I have nothing to tell,” Mr. Bike said, with a slight, sarcastic smile. “Well, sir, if you won’t tell, I’ll find a way to make you,” Richard said, angrily. “Ah! Indeed!” Mr. Bike ejaculated, still cool and unconcerned. “Yes, sir; if you don’t tell me what I want to know before I leave here, I will go to Miss Chamberlain, your fiancée”--Mr. Bike started uneasily--“I’ll tell her a story you would not like her to know.” “And you flatter yourself that she would believe you?” sarcastically. “I know it. I can prove what I have to say,” Dick replied in a manner that was unmistakable. “All right, go to her. See what you can do.” “By Jove, I will. I will go to the newspapers too, and I’ll tell them--” “What?” Mr. Bike asked, rather uneasily. “You know _what_! Disabuse your mind of any idea that I don’t know some chapters in your life, that, if made public, will end your devilish career.” Richard hinted darkly, the suspicions which had come to him before that day sweeping over him with full force. Tolman Bike was thinking intently. Richard saw that his last bluff had gone home and he determined to follow it up with more of the same kind. “Be as unconcerned as you please, Mr. Bike. To-morrow, when your marriage is postponed, and you are called on to answer to the serious charge I shall bring against you, you will be sorry that you didn’t take the easier course, and give me the information I asked for.” Dick said this as if his patience had run out. “I have no information to give,” Mr. Bike said, in a tone which showed he was beginning to weaken. “Say, it’s wasting time to pretend to me. Either you will, or you will not, do as I have asked you. If you don’t, the consequences be on your own head.” “And would you--do you mean--” hesitated Tolman Bike, losing confidence at sight of Dick’s undiminished determination.