“Dear Captain Talham,--I am at present in the hands of some people who desire you to restore the jade bracelet, which, as you know, you took from me. “Unless you do this within forty-eight hours either I shall be killed or worse will happen to me. I implore you, therefore, to hand the bracelet to a messenger who will meet you to-night at six o’clock in Whitcombe Court, Coventry Street.” She read the letter through, and looked up at the man. “What guarantee have I,” she asked, “if I sign this letter, and if Captain Talham is in a position to restore the bracelet, that you will keep your part of the bargain, and will release me?” “You have no guarantee at all,” he said coolly, “except my word. But I am in this position, that you must accept my word without any proof of my bona-fides.” She hesitated before she took the fountain-pen which he offered her. She read the letter through again. There was no harm in signing it. She would be no better off by refusing, and she might easily be worse. She was cool-headed now. She signed her name at the foot of the sheet, and handed it to him. He took it from her with a little bow. “Perhaps you would like to write some letters,” he said. “You will find paper in the drawer of the table, and if by any chance you have any correspondence you would like to clear off in this uncomfortable period of waiting, this will be an excellent opportunity.” His tone was polite, he was not even mildly sarcastic. He wished to convey to her the fact that her detention was a temporary business, a regrettable expedient which need occasion her no alarm. “Suppose Captain Talham refuses to give this up,” she said, “as he may very well do; or suppose he has parted with it and is not in a position to hand it to you, what happens to me?” She asked the question calmly, and the man shrugged his shoulders. “I will accept no excuses,” he said. “Whatever happens, subsequent to his refusal, will be most regrettable.” With which sinister remark he left her. She stood near the door. She thought she heard voices outside. Quick voices speaking in low tones excitedly, and she wondered who was the masked man’s companion. She was soon to learn, for the door opened, and Soo came in, followed by four Chinamen. “Get your coat on!” he said roughly. “We have got to get out of here at once.” “What is the matter?” she asked. “Get your coat on!” he said, ignoring her question. “I haven’t a moment to spare.” All his polish had dropped away. She had known him for a Chinaman despite his mask, and she knew there was nothing to be gained by opposing one of the race which places women on the level of domestic animals. She went into the bedroom and put on her cloak, again pinned on her hat, and came out to where the men were waiting. They were talking eagerly together in Chinese. “I am going to take you for a little journey by water,” said Soo.