"Not much," said Haigh, peering at him coolly through half-shut eyes. "I've put my name down for a little gentle highway robbery; but if ordinary murder is to be added to the scheme, you may transfer me to the retired list. I'm not burdened with many scruples, but making cold meat of a gentleman for the small crime of sticking to his own property happens to be one of them." "And the woman who has helped him, and who has also put shame on us?" "My dear fellow, you can't expect me to indulge in fisticuffs with a lady--especially one with such a catholic taste in Majolica lustreware." Taltavull stamped and swore afresh. "And this insult--will your cold northern blood permit you to swallow that unresented?" "My swallowing power has its limits, Mr. Taltavull; so slow down. There's an old adage about thieves quarrelling, and we three should do best by not falling out with one another. Come, let's try back a bit. What the devil is this eighteen-cornered insult you're so furious about?" Taltavull thrust the letter into his hand, and stalked away to the window muttering in his beard. I looked over Haigh's shoulder, and read with him:-- "FONDA FORGET-WHAT, ALCUDIA, MALLORCA, "_Tuesday morning, 1.37 a.m._ "MOST WORTHY SENORES,--Once more let me write 'Hereingefallen,' and if two of you fail to appreciate its delicate and subtle import, I am sure that the polyglot Mr. Michael Cospatric will courteously interpret. "Your arrival here came to me, I own, as a trifling surprise. I had not expected such pressing attention. "It may please you to learn that I nearly joined your conclave during the course of last evening. Mrs. Cromwell's prolonged absence made me anxious, and I descended the stairs from our joint sitting-room, and I was within an ace of entering the _cafe_ where you were all four seated to inquire after her whereabouts. But, with my hand on the latch of the door, a sound met my ear which caused me to pause. It was the well-known mellow voice of my friend Mr. Haigh, raised in argument. I recognized it in an instant. It is a conceit of mine to study voices, and a peculiar talent never to forget them. "To enter might have caused unpleasantness. Being a man of peace, I consequently forbore to enter, and waited in my room till Mrs. Cromwell returned. You had been most generously profuse in your explanations. From one or another of you she gathered all there was to know. Senores, you have been most solicitous after my humble welfare. Senores, I would have you accept my most profuse thanks.