The looks the two men exchanged said what their meaningless phrases concealed. Ida Summers, not in the secret, yet scenting complications, remained watching, puzzled and a little apprehensive. "My turn later then," said Sassoon, with perfect politeness. He smiled a little, but it was a malicious smile. "He detests me now," thought Doré, with a first curious unease at this controlled oriental passion, stubborn, willing to wait endlessly. She was right. The humiliation which he accepted calmly, with an inward raging, had roused the brute within him, but not the brute that gives up the hunt. To run her down at the last, to have the woman whom he curiously hated and desired, who hated and resisted him, but could not resist beyond the temptations he would spread--that was a passion worth any amount of money; that alone could make money precious to him. "I may at least be permitted to accompany you to the door," he said, showing his white, sharp little teeth in a well-constructed smile, surprising them by his self-possession. "I am glad to know Mr. Harrigan Blood is a rival; it simplifies matters, doesn't it?" "Yes, bandit," said Blood, making the sign of drawing a knife. Sassoon having helped Doré into her coat, stood holding her hand. "What consoles me is that I am sure Mr. Harrigan Blood is no more a match for you than I am!" Then he added imperturbably, looking her boldly in the eyes: "You are very beautiful. You have a right to be as tantalizing as you like! I shan't object in the least! Give me credit, pretty little tigress, for being quite submissive!" "Lordy, I think you're an angel, Mr. Sassoon," said Ida Summers, who was sentimental, and who had the advantage of completely missing the situation. "Your sympathy is very consoling, Miss Summers," said Sassoon curtly, turning on his heel. He went evenly to the telephone booth and called up his confidential broker: "Humphreys, I want you to get me a little information very quietly." "Yes, Mr. Sassoon?" "Find out what is the extent of Mr. Harrigan Blood's holdings in the stock market. I want complete information, especially as to what he is holding on margins. Treat the matter as absolutely confidential!" CHAPTER XIV Ida Summers insisted on departing on her own ways, laughingly proclaiming that if she couldn't be provided with an adorer she wasn't going to sit by for a second time and spoil the fun. Doré let her go without protest. She did not care now. Her head ached. She could not collect her thoughts--could not place before her what had happened. That everything had suddenly ceased, that in the cataclysm her youth, her dreams, her joy in being, were swallowed up, she knew. Something had happened, and yet she could not distinctly perceive it.