Monty found with glee that so far from being nervous he was enjoying the scene. He only regretted that his moustache was not long enough to permit him to curl it to a fierce and martial angle. He was glad that Nora had crept into the room and was watching him. “Isn’t he in bed?” he demanded, yawning. “You know he isn’t in bed,” Taylor answered. “Maybe you’re his pal--in on this job with him. Come here.” Monty wished to refuse, but Taylor had a compelling manner, so he advanced with an insolent slowness. Alice Harrington flew to his defence. “That’s too absurd!” she cried. “We’ve known Mr. Vaughan since he was a child.” “Who is this person?” Monty demanded superciliously. “Never mind who I am,” Taylor said gruffly, and started to search him. “Don’t hurt him,” Nora cried, rushing to her fiancé’s side. “It’s all right, Nora,” Monty said; submitting quietly. “He thinks he’s doing his duty. When you’re through with me,” he said to Taylor, “I’ll take you to my room. You’d probably like to go through that, too.” “Here, that’ll be enough from you,” Taylor said frowning. “You aren’t smart enough to be Denby’s pal. Clear out--get back to the nursery.” Nora cast a glance of vivid hatred at him, but Taylor turned his back on her. “Do you want us any longer?” Michael asked. “No,” he was told. “You can go and leave me with this girl,” pointing to Ethel, who had not said a word. “I want a little talk with her.” “Please keep her out of it,” Michael asked him. “I’m sure she’s absolutely innocent in the matter.” Taylor looked at him, exasperated. “See here,” he cried, “you’ve put enough obstacles in my way to-night as it is! Do you want to put any more?” “It’s all right,” Ethel Cartwright said quickly; “there’s just some misunderstanding. Please go!” “All right, then,” her host answered. “Come, Alice, I need a drink badly.” “My dear,” she said affectionately, “under the circumstances you may have an all-night license.” He had turned to go when Lambart approached him. “I beg your pardon, sir, but can I have a word with you?” “What is it?” Michael demanded anxiously. The news evidently affected him, and Taylor looked suspicious. “What’s this mean?” the deputy-surveyor asked. “A long distance from my partner,” the agitated Harrington returned. “I stand to lose nearly a million dollars if something isn’t done. Excuse me, Alice--I’ll use the upstairs ’phone.” He hurried upstairs. “Well,” said Monty to Taylor--Nora was hanging on his arm and he felt he would never again be afraid--“do you want me any longer?” “I thought I sent you back to play,” Taylor snarled. Ostentatiously Monty turned his back and walked leisurely to a door. “You are perfectly splendid,” Nora exclaimed with ecstasy in her voice. “I’d no idea you were so brave.” “Oh, you can never tell,” Monty returned modestly. Alice joined them in retreat. “Michael’s thirst is catching,” she asserted. “I’m for some champagne, children, are you?”