The men were so absolutely astonished at my action and my words, that they did not speak at all for a moment. They all three jumped from their seats at the table and stood facing me. The noise they made pushing back their chairs aroused Tollemache, who, seeing me, tottered to his feet and came towards me with a shambling, uneasy gait. "Hullo, Halifax, old man, how are you?" he gasped, with a drunken smile. "What are you doing here? We're all having a ripping time: lots of champagne; but I've lost my watch and chain and all my money--three hundred pounds--I've telegraphed for my cheque-book, though. Glad you've come, old boy--'pon my word I am. Want to go away with you, although we have had a ripping time, yes, _awfully_ ripping." "You shall come," I said. "Sit down first for a moment." I pushed him back with some force on to the sofa and turned to one of the men, who now came up and asked me my business. "What are you doing here?" he inquired. "We don't want you--you had better get out of this as fast as you can. You have no business here, so get out." "Yes, I have business here," I replied. "I have come for this man," here I went up to Tollemache and laid my hand on his shoulder. "I am his doctor and he is under my charge. I don't leave here without him, and, what is more," I added, "I don't leave here without his property either. You must give me back his watch and chain and the three hundred pounds you have robbed him of. Now you understand what I want?" "We'll see about that," said one of the men, significantly. He left the room as he spoke. During his absence, the other men stood perfectly quiet, eyeing me with furtive and stealthy glances. Poor Tollemache sat upright on the sofa, blinking with his heavy eyes. Sometimes he tried to rise, but always sank back again on his seat. During the whole time he kept muttering to himself:-- "Yes, good fellows these: jolly time, champagne, all the rest, but _I'm robbed_; this is a thieves' den. Don't leave me alone, Halifax. Want to go. You undershtand. Watch and chain gone, and _all my money_; three hundred in notes and gold. Yes, three hundred. Won't let me go till I give 'em my cheque-book; telegraphed for cheque-book in dressing-case. You undershtand, yes. Don't leave me, old boy." "It will be all right," I said. "Stay quiet." The position was one of extreme danger for both of us. There was nothing whatever for it but to carry matters with a cool hand and not to show a vestige of fear. I glanced round me and observed the position of the room. The sofa on which Tollemache was sitting was close to the window. This window had French doors, which opened on to the balcony. I edged close to it. I did not do this a moment too soon. The man who had left the room now returned with a ruffian of gigantic build, who came up to me at once with a menacing attitude. [Illustration: "WHO ARE YOU?"]