"What must you think of me!" she murmured in an humbler tone. "Nothing but what is good," he said quickly. "I would be a fool if I thought otherwise. I was only anxious for you because I supposed you did not know the risks you ran." "I knew," she said. "I armed myself." Greg was both amused and thrilled at the diminutive size of her and her unquestioned courage. "It seemed necessary for me to do it," she explained further, "though after all I have accomplished nothing. I did it for some one--some one I cared for very much." A sharp little pang of jealousy shot through Greg's breast. Another cab drew up at the entrance to the Meriden in their rear. Greg's companion stuck her head out to see who it was. She quickly drew it in again. "Two of the gang!" she said excitedly. "What gang?" asked Greg involuntarily. "His gang, the politicians. They've come after him, I suppose. We'll know in a minute." Leaning forward in front of his companion Greg saw two men entering the Meriden, one of whom carried a heavy suit-case. They were inconspicuous-looking men, soberly dressed, both under the average height, one stocky, one thin. They had a foreign look like the man they came to see. As they passed back into the hotel they came within range of the big window beside Greg's cab, and the two could sit back and watch them at their leisure. They proceeded to the desk and made an inquiry. The clerk took down his telephone receiver. After a brief colloquy over the 'phone, he nodded to the two men, who thereupon seated themselves near by. "He's coming down-stairs to them," murmured the girl. Sure enough, Greg's former fare, the tall foreigner, presently stepped out of the elevator. He had his hat and overcoat on and carried a valise. "Going out again!" said the girl excitedly. "Going away, it seems!" When the men met no greetings were exchanged; it was as if they had but lately parted. The three moved away from the vicinity of the hotel desk engaged in low-voiced conversation. They came to a stand not far from the window through which Greg and the girl were watching them. Here they stood talking with guarded expressions, never thinking of looking out into the dark street. He who carried the suit-case exhibited it to the tall man, who thereupon called the single sleepy boy on duty at this hour and gave instructions. The boy took the suit-case and the tall man's own valise and, proceeding to the entrance, summoned a cab; the bags were put inside. Meanwhile the three lingered a moment to finish their talk. The heavier of the two newcomers took from his breast pocket a rather bulky little black book and handed it over to the tall man. The latter's eyes visibly gleamed with satisfaction as he hastily ran over the contents. He pocketed the book. At sight of the book a startled exclamation escaped from the girl beside Greg. "Why--why, that's my uncle's book! How did they get it?"