"For you, all are dangerous." "All, save one," chimed in the younger man, exchanging glances with his companion. "And what is that?" Chisholm asked. "It is our secret," the old man replied, shutting his thin lips tightly with a grin of self-satisfaction. "I was informed by Marucci that you were prepared to assist me!" exclaimed Chisholm in a tone of annoyance; "but if you are not, then I may as well wish you good-night." "If the signore will exercise a little patience, he shall hear our plan," the old man Bernini assured him. "I am all attention." "Then let us speak quite frankly," squeaked the old fellow. "You desire to escape from the police who, for all we know, are now watching you. That you have been watched during the past few days is evident. Tonio, here, has himself seen detectives following you. Well, we are prepared to undertake the risk--in exchange, of course, for a certain consideration." "To speak quite candidly you intend to blackmail me--eh? It isn't at all difficult to see your drift." "If the signore desires a service rendered, he must be prepared to pay," declared the younger man. "Sisto has a plan, but it is expensive." "And how much would it cost me?" inquired Chisholm, still preserving his outward calm, although he saw that he had fallen among a very undesirable and unscrupulous set. "Ten thousand pounds sterling," was the old man's prompt reply. CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN. WHICH ASKS A QUESTION. "Ah!" exclaimed the Under-Secretary with affected nonchalance, "I merely asked out of curiosity. I have no intention whatever of paying such a sum." "For the amount I have named we will guarantee to place you ashore in Greece, or in any other of the few countries that remain open to fugitives from justice." "I have no doubt," Dudley answered with distinct sarcasm. "But as I have no intention of being blackmailed, or even of employing any of your efforts on my behalf, we may as well end this interview." He rose from his chair and drew himself up to his full height. The two men exchanged glances full of sinister meaning. "Our aid has been invoked by your friend, the English signorina," the young man exclaimed in a bullying tone, for the first time revealing his true character. "We have told you our terms--high, we admit, but not too exorbitant when you recollect the many bribes that have to be paid." "Ten thousand pounds, eh?" "That is the sum." "Well, I'll make a confession to you both," declared Chisholm defiantly. "It is this. My life isn't worth to me ten thousand pence. Now you can at once relinquish all hope of bleeding me in the manner you have arranged." "The signore is frank," remarked the old man. "Frankness saves so much argument in such matters. I will be frank also, and say that there is still another, and perhaps more pleasant mode of escape." "I shall be interested to hear it," said Dudley, folding his arms, and leaning carelessly back against the table.