"I have mentioned what the business I wished to see you about demands of the man who undertakes it," he added, without pausing, "but I have said nothing about the business itself as yet. Briefly, it is the recovery of certain letters and incriminating papers--some of them, I believe, forgeries--that are being now used for the purposes of blackmail." "Half a moment, please. Is this a personal matter, or are you merely negotiating for someone else?" "It is not a personal matter. It affects someone of greater importance. I have been sent out here to get hold of those papers at any cost. We have offered a big sum down for them, but the rogues who hold them won't part. Their game is to keep on squeezing. They believe they have an inexhaustible mine." "From what you tell me I should say their belief was justified. Since they won't sell, how do you purpose getting hold of the papers?" "We must take a leaf from their book and steal them back." There was a momentary silence during which the grey eyes looked straight into the brown eyes with a hard, unflinching gaze. "And that's where I come in," he said, completing the Colonel's sentence. The Colonel nodded. "That's where you come in--if you do come in, that is... There is a certain danger attaching to the enterprise, but that I needn't mention to you. You will have determined men to deal with, and, unfortunately, men who are in a sense prepared. The plan has been attempted already-- and bungled." "I should like," Grit interposed, "to hear about that, if you please." The Colonel briefly narrated the story of young Hayhurst's successful tracing of the incriminating papers, of how he managed to get hold of them, and how he lost them again through blabbing of the affair to a woman. "That woman is in it, take my word for it," the Colonel said. "What's her name?" inquired the man who had listened quietly to the recital without once interrupting or even moving his position. At the abrupt question the Colonel looked across at him sharply. He had purposely omitted the mention of any names; he intended to secure his man before going into particulars; but now that the question was put to him point blank he felt that he had not sufficient reason for withholding the information. "Her name is Lawless--Mrs Lawless, living at Rondebosch.--You know her?" he asked, seeing the unmistakable start his companion gave on hearing the name. "Know her!--Yes, I suppose I do." The Colonel did not appear greatly surprised. "It's likely you would. She is somewhat notorious, I believe." "In what way?" "Oh! nothing actually against her that I know of. A beautiful woman living alone, and much admired. ... Rumour has it that she's a widow, and again has it that she is not. I've got beyond the age when a man troubles to find out." "What causes you to imagine she is in with the other side?" inquired his hearer, a shade of impatience in his tone. "The boy--" "Hayhurst?"