Severac Bablon's activities had not failed to react upon the temperature of the Stock Exchange. Loudly it was whispered that influential and highly-placed persons were concerned with him. No capitalist felt safe. No man trusted his staff, his solicitor, his broker. It was felt that minions of Severac Bablon were everywhere; that Severac Bablon was omnipresent. "You've gone pretty deep into the case, Sheard," said Rohscheimer. "What do you know about these cards he sends to people he's goin' to rob?" Sheard cleared his throat somewhat nervously. All eyes sought him. "The authorities have established the fact," he replied, "that all those whom Severac Bablon has victimised have received--due warning." Sir Leopold Jesson was watching him covertly. "What do you mean by 'due warning'?" he snapped. "They have been requested, anonymously," Sheard explained, "to subscribe to some worthy object. When they have failed voluntarily to comply they have been _compelled_, forcibly, to do so!" Julius Rohscheimer began to turn purple. He spluttered furiously, ere gaining command of speech. "Is this a free country?" came in a hoarse roar. "If a man ain't out buildin' hospitals for beggars does he have to be held up----" He caught Mrs. Rohscheimer's glance, laden with entreaty. "Good Lord!" he concluded, weakly. "Isn't it funny!" Baron Hague was understood to growl that he should no longer feel safe until back to Berlin he had gone. "I am told," said Mr. Antony Elschild, "that a new Severac Bablon outrage is anticipated by the authorities." That loosed the flood-gates. A dozen voices were asking at once: "Have _you_ received a card?" It seemed that this was a matter which had lain at the back of each mind; that each had feared to broach; that each, now, was glad to discuss. An extraordinary and ominous circumstance, then, was now brought to light. A note had been received by each of the capitalists present, stating that L1,000,000 was urgently needed by the British Government for the establishment of an aerial fleet. That was all. But the notes all bore a certain seal. "How many of us"--Julius Rohscheimer's coarse voice rose above them all--"have got these notes?" A moment's silence, wherein it became evident that five of the gentlemen present had received such communications. Mrs. Hohsmann stated that her husband had been the recipient of a note also. "With Hohsmann," resumed Rohscheimer, "six of us." "It appears to me," the soft voice was Antony Elschild's, "that no time should be lost in ascertaining how many of these notes have been sent----" "Why?" asked Rohscheimer. "Because, from what we know of Severac Bablon, it is evident that he intends to raise this sum, or a great part of it, for this highly patriotic purpose, amongst our particular set. One is naturally anxious to learn the amount of one's share in the responsibility!"