"'You are right, madam,' I said, trying to appear very stern and almost failing, she was so pretty. By Jove! you fellows, I wonder I didn't kiss her; she had such fine eyes, my favourite nose, a ripping mouth and--" "Oh! go on! go on with your story. Never mind her looks," Curtis interrupted, "I've got a touch of indigestion." "As I was saying," Kelson went on complacently, "I could have kissed her and I felt downright mean for upsetting her so. "'Now you have found me out,' she said, 'what do you intend doing? Show me up in there?' and she pointed shudderingly at the store. "'No,' I said, 'not if you are sensible and come to terms. I will agreeto say nothing about either this or any of your other--ahem!-- thefts--if you let me escort you home, and write me out a cheque for a thousand dollars!' "'Beast!' she hissed, 'so you are a blackmailer!' "'A black beetle if you like,' I responded, 'but I assure you, Mrs. Bater, I am letting you off cheap. I have only to call for a policeman and your reputation would be gone at once. Besides, I know other things about you.' "'What other things?' she stuttered. "'Well, madam!' I replied, 'some things are rather delicate--er--for single men like me to mention, but I do know that--er--a lady--very like--remarkably like--you, has in her pocket at this moment a rattle which she bought and paid for in Oakland's late last night. And as, madam, Mr. Bater has been dead over two years--let me see--yes, two years yesterday--one can--!' "'Stay! that will do,' she whispered; 'come to my house and I will give you the thousand dollars. You must pretend you are my cousin.' "'I will pretend anything, Mrs. Bater,' I murmured, helping her into a taxi, 'anything so long as I can be with you.'" "You got the money?" Hamar queried. "Yes," Kelson said with a smile, "I got the money--in fact, everything I asked for." There was silence for some minutes, and then Hamar said, "What next?"