With a hand that shook Van Bleit obeyed. But half-way through he hesitated, and, with his shaking hand upraised, looked savagely at Lawless. "Count ten, Tom." The steely tones rang out commandingly, and had scarcely ceased when Hayhurst in audible response started his rapid counting. Van Bleit finished the letter in desperate haste, and signed it. Then with a bitter imprecation he snapped the pen between his hands and flung the broken pieces violently in Lawless' face. "Have you done with me now?" he demanded. "Not quite." The reply was unexpected. Van Bleit paused irresolute, and stared with fallen countenance at this man who, not content with robbing him, demanded more. He began to fear that having tricked him out of the letters he would now foully murder him. The knowledge that, if so, he would in all probability hang for the crime was neither reassuring nor consoling. Lawless read the letter, folded it, and placed it in his breast pocket. Then he looked up and met Van Bleit's eye. "What are you after?" Van Bleit asked dully. "You've got what you wanted... You let me go." The man he addressed smiled quietly, and taking his revolver from his pocket, covered the speaker with it. "You don't take me for quite such a fool, I hope?" he said. "All right, Tom! You're off guard now. Just tie his hands again. I shan't want him to use them further in my service." Van Bleit swung round as Hayhurst approached him, prepared to offer resistance. "No, no?" he cried quickly. "I know what you're after... None of that--no?" "It's not worth your while to resist," Lawless returned curtly. "It's hands behind or a bullet in your leg. I'm not particular which." Van Bleit faced round again and stared at him helplessly. "You b-bully!" he stammered. But he submitted quietly while Tom Hayhurst secured his wrists as before. And then he gazed about him with his trapped-rat expression, his full cheeks flabby and grey, and his thick lip fallen, showing the big white teeth. He was terribly afraid that his ease-taking, pleasure-loving body was about to suffer hurt. If they did not purpose murdering him, Grit Lawless would wreak his vengeance in some violent manner for the lashing he had received at his hands. Lawless put the receipt with the letter inside the envelope which, taking Van Bleit's seed ring off his finger, and some wax and matches from his own pocket, he proceeded to seal. "You see, I came prepared," he said. Van Bleit scowled, but answered nothing. He was now principally concerned for his personal safety. If he could escape in time to wire to Denzil before the Bank opened in the morning, there was still a chance of saving the letters, even if Denzil had to pay for it with a couple of months for assault. Telegraphing to the Bank to stop the delivery of the packet was, he felt, useless. Lawless gave the letter into Hayhurst's charge.