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This was the wary South American diplomat whose name had lately been so prominent in the Washington dispatches. What was he doing in Chicago? "I am glad to meet you," said Orme. Alcatrante smiled, displaying a prominent row of uneven teeth. "My young friend, Poritol," he began, "tells me that you have in your possession the record of a secret belonging to him.

Maku was in the room while we were talking. Now I can see why Maku disappeared after dinner and did not return." "But how did Poritol lose the bill?" asked Orme. The girl laughed. "It was really ridiculous. He over-speeded and was caught by one of those roadside motor-car traps, ten or twelve miles out in the country. They timed him, and stopped him by a bar across the road.

"Why, no," said Alcatrante. "But the course of events has changed." He linked his arm in Orme's and walked along with him toward the center of the city. "You see," he went on, "my young friend Poritol overestimated the importance of that marked bill. It did give the clue to the hiding place of certain papers which were of great value to him.

'You might get me some "baccy," he said, thrusting the bill through the bars and grinning. "Now I understood what was going on. I reached for the bill, as though it were intended for me, but Mr. Poritol was quicker. He snatched the bill and put it in his pocket. "I didn't know what to do. But suddenly Mr. Poritol seemed to be frightened.

Poritol said: 'The poor fellow has very unpleasant quarters. Then he said to Walsh: 'Can't we do something to make your enforced stay here more comfortable, my very dear sir?" Orme smiled at the unconscious mimicry of her accent. "Walsh came back to the grating. He held in his hand a five-dollar bill the one that has made so much trouble. It had been smuggled in to him in some way.

She studied him in silence, then pointed to the chauffeur, who was down at the side of the car. "Anything damaged?" Orme queried. "Yes, sir." "Much?" "Two hours' work, sir." "Pshaw!" Orme shut his teeth down hard; Poritol, had he known it, might have felt thankful that he was not near at hand. He turned to Bessie. "How much farther is it?" The chauffeur answered. "About three miles, sir."

The mysterious papers might contain information about South American mines as little Poritol had suggested; they might hold the secrets of an international syndicate. Whatever they were, it was really doubtful whether the necessity of their recovery would justify the possible slaying of another man. Perhaps the girl had unconsciously exaggerated their value.

Poritol for certain reasons. If only I had thought of it before! I spoke to him sharply and told him to go outside. It always seemed natural to order him about, like a little dog." "However, little dogs have the sharpest teeth," remarked Orme. "That is true. He replied that he couldn't think of leaving me alone in such a place. So there was nothing for me to do except to go.

He was beginning to feel disgusted with the situation. He did not like Alcatrante's oily smoothness, and he wondered whether it would not have been better to hand the bill over to Poritol at the first demand. But it came to his mind that in a certain degree he stood committed to continue the policy he had adopted. He had sought adventure; it was coming to him in full measure.

"As things have turned out, I am glad that Poritol set his burglar on us when he did; otherwise Maku would have got the treaty at the last moment. Alcatrante's desire to secure a diplomatic advantage over the Japanese was really the saving of us." The Secretary paused. His face lighted up with a rare smile. "Above everything else, Mr. Orme, I thank you." He arose and rang for a servant.