“None whatever. If I wanted money I should pick your pocket. If I desired your wife--if you have one--I should seduce her. If someone obstructs me--something happens to him. You must understand this clearly--for I am not bragging--I do nothing purposelessly nor from what I consider a bad motive. To me ‘bad’ is synonymous with ‘unnecessary.’ I do nothing unnecessary.” “Why is revenge necessary?” asked Bellamy. “A plausible question. Well, for one thing I like cruelty--one of my unpublished works is a defence of Super-Sadism. Then it is a warning to others, and lastly it is a vindication of my personality. All excellent reasons. Do you like my _Thus spake Eblis_?” “Masterly,” replied Bellamy. “The perfection of prose, but, of course, its magical significance is far beyond my meagre understanding.” “My dear friend, there is only one man in Europe about whom that would not be equally true.” “Who is that?” asked Bellamy. Clinton’s eyes narrowed venomously. “His name is Solan,” he said. “One of these days, perhaps----” and he paused. “Well, now, if you like I will tell you of some of my experiences.” * * * * * An hour later a monologue drew to its close. “And now, Mr. Bellamy, what is your rôle in life?” “I’m a barrister.” “Oh, so you _are_ connected with the Law?” “I hope,” said Bellamy smiling, “you’ll find it possible to forget it.” “It would help me to do so,” replied Clinton, “if you would lend me ten pounds. I have forgotten my note-case--a frequent piece of negligence on my part--and a lady awaits me. Thanks very much. We shall meet again, I trust.” “I was just about to suggest that you dined with me one day this week?” “This is Tuesday,” said Clinton. “What about Thursday?” “Excellent, will you meet me at the Gridiron about eight?” “I will be there,” said Clinton, mopping his eye. “Good-night.” * * * * * “I can understand now what happened to Franton,” said Bellamy to Mr. Solan the next evening. “He is the most fascinating and catholic talker I have met. He has a wicked charm. If half to which he lays claim is true, he has packed ten lives into sixty years.” “In a sense,” said Mr. Solan, “he has the best brain of any man living. He has also a marvellous histrionic sense and he is _deadly_. But he is vulnerable. On Thursday encourage him to talk of other things. He will consider you an easy victim. You must make the most of the evening--it may rather revolt you--he is sure to be suspicious at first.” * * * * * “It amuses and reassures me,” said Clinton at ten fifteen on Thursday evening in Bellamy’s room, “to find you have a lively appreciation of obscenity.” He brought out a snuff box, an exquisite little masterpiece with an inexpressibly vile design enamelled on the lid, from which he took a pinch of white powder which he sniffed up from the palm of his hand.