“Not by a long shot,” Steven Denby agreed. “But,” he added, “why should you want to take the sort of risks that I have had to take, when there’s no need? I have been in danger pretty often, Monty, and I shall again. Why? Because I have my living to make and that way suits me best. You notice I am sitting with my back to the wall so that none can come behind me. I do that because two revengeful gentlemen have sworn bloodthirsty oaths to relieve my soul of its body.” Monty tingled with a certain pleasurable apprehension which had never before visited him. He was experiencing in real life what had only revealed itself before in novels or on the stage. “What are they like?” he demanded in a low voice, looking around. “Disappointing, I’m afraid,” Steven answered. “You are looking for a tall man with a livid scar running from temple to chin and a look before which even a waiter would blanch. Both my men have mild expressions and wouldn’t attract a second glance, but they’ll either get me or I’ll get them.” “Steve!” Monty cried. “What did they do?” Denby made a careless gesture. “It was over a money matter,” he explained. Monty thought for a moment in silence. Never had his conventional lot seemed less attractive to him. He approached the subject again as do timid men who fearfully hang on the outskirts of a street fight, unwilling to miss what they have not the heart to enjoy. “I wish some excitement like that would come my way,” he sighed. “Excitement? Go to Monte and break the bank. Become the Jaggers of your country.” “There’s no danger in that,” Monty answered almost peevishly. “Nor of it,” laughed his friend. “That’s just the way it always is,” Monty complained. “Other fellows have all the fun and I just hear about it.” Denby looked at him shrewdly and then leaned across the table. “So you want some fun?” he queried. “I do,” the other said firmly. “Do you think you’ve got the nerve?” Steven demanded. Monty hesitated. “I don’t want to be killed,” he admitted. “What is it?” “I didn’t tell you how I made a living, but I hinted my ways were a bit irregular. What I have to propose is also a trifle out of the usual. The law and the equator are both imaginary lines, Monty, and I’m afraid my little expedition may get off the line. I suppose you don’t want to hear any more, do you?” Monty’s eyes were shining with excitement. “I’m going to hear everything you’ve got to say,” he asserted. “It means I’ve got to put myself in your power in a way,” Denby said hesitatingly, “but I’ll take a chance because you’re the kind of man who can keep things secret.” “I am,” Monty said fervently. “Just you try me out, Steve!” “It has to do with a string of pearls,” Denby explained, “and I’m afraid I shall disappoint you when I tell you I’m proposing to pay for them just as any one else might do.” “Oh!” said Monty. “Is that all?” “When I buy these pearls, as you will see me do, with Bank of France notes, they belong to me, don’t they?”