IX + 

Disaster + 

Having fulfilled his purpose of making himself acquainted with the personnel of the opposition, Lanyard slammed the door in its face, thrust his hands in his pockets, and sauntered downstairs, chuckling, his nose in the air, on the best of terms with himself. + 

True, the fat was in the fire and well ablaze: he had to look to himself now, and go warily in the shadow of their enmity. But it was something to have faced down those four, and he wasnтАЩt seriously impressed by any one of them. + 

Popinot, perhaps, was the most dangerous in LanyardтАЩs esteem; a vindictive animal, that Popinot; and the creatures he controlled, a murderous lot, drug-ridden, drink bedevilled, vicious little rats of Belleville, whoтАЩd knife a man for the price of an absinthe. But Popinot wouldnтАЩt move without leave from De┬аMorbihan, and unless LanyardтАЩs calculations were seriously miscast, De┬аMorbihan would restrain both himself and his associates until thoroughly convinced Lanyard was impregnable against every form of persuasion. Murder was something a bit out of De┬аMorbihanтАЩs lineтБатАФsomething, at least, which he might be counted on to hold in reserve. And by the time he was ready to employ it, Lanyard would be well beyond his reach. Wertheimer, too, would deprecate violence until all else failed; his half-caste type was as cowardly as it was blackguard; and cowards kill only impulsively, before theyтАЩve had time to weigh consequences. There remained тАЬSmith,тАЭ enigma; a man apparently gifted with both intelligence and character.тБатАКтБатАж But if so, what the deuce was he doing in such company? + 

Still, there he was: and the association damned him beyond consideration. His sorts were all of a piece, beneath the consideration of men of spirit.тБатАКтБатАж + 

At this point, the self-complacence bred of his contempt for Messrs. de Morbihan et Cie. bred in its turn a thought that brought the adventurer up standing. + 

The devil! Who was he, Michael Lanyard, that held himself above such vermin, yet lived in such a way as practically to invite their advances? What right was his to resent their opening the door to confraternity, as long as he trod paths so closely parallel to theirs that only a sophist might discriminate them? What comforting distinction was to be drawn between on the one hand a blackmailer like Wertheimer, a chevalier-dтАЩindustrie like De┬аMorbihan, or a patron of Apaches like Popinot, and on the other himself whose bread was eaten in the sweat of thievery? + 

He drew a long face; whistled softly; shook his head; and smiled a wry smile. + 

тАЬGlad I didnтАЩt think of that two minutes ago, or IтАЩd never have had the cheekтБатАКтБатАжтАЭ + 

Without warning, incongruously and, in his understanding, inexplicably, he found himself beset by recurrent memory of the girl, Lucia Bannon. + 

For an instant he saw her again, quite vividly, as last he had seen her: turning at the door of her bedchamber to look back at him, a vision of perturbing charm in her rose-silk dressing-gown, with rich hair loosened, cheeks softly glowing, eyes brilliant with an emotion illegible to her one beholder.тБатАКтБатАж + 

What had been the message of those eyes, flashed down the dimly lighted length of that corridor at TroyonтАЩs, ere she vanished? + 

Adieu? Or au revoir?тБатАКтБатАж + 

She had termed him, naively enough, and a gentleman. + 

But if she knewтБатАФsuspectedтБатАФeven dreamedтБатАФthat he was what he was?тБатАКтБатАж + 

He shook his head again, but now impatiently, with a scowl and a grumble: + 

тАЬWhatтАЩs the matter with me anyway? Mooning over a girl I never saw before tonight! As if it matters a whoop in Hepsidam what she thinks!тБатАКтБатАж Or is it possible IтАЩm beginning to develop a rudimentary conscience, at this late day? Me!тБатАКтБатАжтАЭ + 

If there were anything in this hypothesis, the growing-pains of that late-blooming conscience were soon enough numbed by the hypnotic spell of clattering chips, an ivory ball singing in an ebony race, and croaking croupiers. + 

For LanyardтАЩs chair at the table of chemin-de-fer had been filled by another and, too impatient to wait a vacancy, he wandered on to the salon dedicated to roulette, tested his luck by staking a note of five hundred francs on the black, won, and incontinently subsided into a chair and an oblivion that endured for the space of three-quarters of an hour. + 

At the end of that period he found himself minus his heavy winnings at chemin-de-fer and ten thousand francs of his reserve fund to boot. + 

By way of lining for his pockets there remained precisely the sum which he had brought into Paris that same evening, less subsequent general disbursements. + 

The experience was nothing novel in his history. He rose less resentful than regretful that his ill-luck obliged him to quit just when play was most interesting, and resignedly sought the cloakroom for his coat and hat. + 

And there he found De┬аMorbihanтБатАФagain!тБатАФstanding all garmented for the street, mouthing a huge cigar and wearing a look of impatient discontent. + 

тАЬAt last!тАЭ he cried in an aggrieved tone as Lanyard appeared in the offing. тАЬYou do take your time, my friend!тАЭ + 

Lanyard smothered with a smile whatever emotion was his of the moment. + 

тАЬI didnтАЩt imagine you really meant to wait for me,тАЭ he parried with double meaning, both to humour De┬аMorbihan and hoodwink the attendant. + 

тАЬWhat do you think?тАЭ retorted the Count with asperityтБатАФтАЬthat IтАЩm willing to stand by and let you moon round Paris at this hour of the morning, hunting for a taxicab that isnтАЩt to be found and running God-knows-what risk of being stuck up by some misbegotten Apache? But I should say not! I mean to take you home in my car, though it cost me a half-hour of beauty sleep not lightly to be forfeited at my age!тАЭ + 

The significance that underlay the semi-humourous petulance of the little man was not wasted. + 

тАЬYouтАЩre most amiable, Monsieur le Comte!тАЭ Lanyard observed thoughtfully, while the attendant produced his hat and coat. тАЬSo now, if youтАЩre ready, I wonтАЩt delay you longer.тАЭ + 

In another moment they were outside the clubhouse, its doors shut behind them, while before them, at the curb, waited that same handsome black limousine which had brought the adventurer from LтАЩAbbaye. + 

Two swift glances, right and left, showed him an empty street, bare of hint of danger. + 

тАЬOne moment, monsieur!тАЭ he said, detaining the Count with a touch on his sleeve. тАЬItтАЩs only right that I should advise youтБатАКтБатАж IтАЩm armed.тАЭ + 

тАЬThen youтАЩre less foolhardy than one feared. If such things interest you, I donтАЩt mind admitting I carry a life-preserver of my own. But what of that? Is one eager to go shooting at this time of night, for the sheer fun of explaining to sergents de ville that one has been attacked by Apaches?тБатАКтБатАж Providing always one lives to explain!тАЭ + 

тАЬItтАЩs as bad as that, eh?тАЭ + 

тАЬEnough to make me loath to linger at your side in a lighted doorway!тАЭ + 

Lanyard laughed in his own discomfiture. тАЬMonsieur le Comte,тАЭ said he, тАЬthereтАЩs a dash in you of what your American pal, Mysterious Smith, would call sporting blood, that commands my unstinted admiration. I thank you for your offered courtesy, and beg leave to accept.тАЭ + 

De Morbihan replied with a grunt of none too civil intonation, instructed the chauffeur тАЬTo TroyonтАЩs,тАЭ and followed Lanyard into the car. + 

тАЬCourtesy!тАЭ he repeated, settling himself with a shake. тАЬThat makes nothing. If I regarded my own inclinations, IтАЩd let you go to the devil as quick as PopinotтАЩs assassins could send you there!тАЭ + 

тАЬThis is delightful!тАЭ Lanyard protested. тАЬFirst you must see me home to save my life, and then you tell me your inclinations consign me to a premature grave. Is there an explanation, possibly?тАЭ + 

тАЬOn your person,тАЭ said the Count, sententious. + 

тАЬEh?тАЭ + 

тАЬYou carry your reason with you, my friendтБатАФin the shape of the Omber loot.тАЭ + 

тАЬAssuming you are rightтБатАФтАЭ + 

тАЬYou never went to the rue du Bac, monsieur, without those jewels: and I have had you under observation ever since.тАЭ + 

тАЬWhat conceivable interest,тАЭ Lanyard pursued evenly, тАЬdo you fancy youтАЩve got in the said loot?тАЭ + 

тАЬEnough, at least, to render me unwilling to kiss it adieu by leaving you to the mercies of Popinot. You donтАЩt imagine IтАЩd ever hear of it again, when his Apaches had finished with you?тАЭ + 

тАЬAh!тБатАКтБатАж So, after all, your so-called organization isnтАЩt founded on that reciprocal trust so essential to the prosperity of suchтБатАФenterprises!тАЭ + 

тАЬAmuse yourself as you will with your inferences, my friend,тАЭ the Count returned, unruffled; тАЬbut donтАЩt forget my advice: pull wide of Popinot!тАЭ + 

тАЬA vindictive soul, eh?тАЭ + 

тАЬOne may say that.тАЭ + 

тАЬYou canтАЩt hold him?тАЭ + 

тАЬThat one? No fear! You were anything but wise to bait him as you did.тАЭ + 

тАЬPerhaps. ItтАЩs purely a matter of taste in associates.тАЭ + 

тАЬIf I were the fool you think me,тАЭ mused the Count тАЬIтАЩd resent that innuendo. As it happens, IтАЩm not. At least, I can wait before calling you to account.тАЭ + 

тАЬAnd meantime profit by your patience?тАЭ + 

тАЬBut naturally. HavenтАЩt I said as much?тАЭ + 

тАЬStill, IтАЩm perplexed. I canтАЩt imagine how you reckon to declare yourself in on the Omber loot.тАЭ + 

тАЬAll in good time: if you were wise, youтАЩd hand the stuff over to me here and now, and accept what I chose to give you in return. But inasmuch as youтАЩre the least wise of men, you must have your lesson.тАЭ + 

тАЬMeaningтБатАФ?тАЭ + 

тАЬThe night brings counsel: youтАЩll have time to think things over. By tomorrow youтАЩll be coming to offer me those jewels in exchange for what influence I have in certain quarters.тАЭ + 

тАЬWith your famous friend, the Chief of the S├╗ret├й, eh?тАЭ + 

тАЬPossibly. I am known also at La Tour Pointue.тАЭ + 

тАЬI confess I donтАЩt follow you, unless you mean to turn informer.тАЭ + 

тАЬNever that.тАЭ + 

тАЬItтАЩs a riddle, then?тАЭ + 

тАЬFor the moment only.тБатАКтБатАж But I will say this: it will be futile, your attempting to escape Paris; Popinot has already picketted every outlet. Your one hope resides in me; and I shall be at home to you until midnight tomorrowтБатАФtoday, rather.тАЭ + 

Impressed in spite of himself, Lanyard stared. But the Count maintained an imperturbable manner, looking straight ahead. Such calm assurance would hardly be sheer bluff. + 

тАЬI must think this over,тАЭ Lanyard mused aloud. + 

тАЬPray donтАЩt let me hinder you,тАЭ the Count begged with mild sarcasm. тАЬI have my own futile thoughts.тБатАКтБатАжтАЭ + 

Lanyard laughed quietly and subsided into a reverie which, undisturbed by De┬аMorbihan, endured throughout the brief remainder of their drive; for, thanks to the smallness of the hour, the streets were practically deserted and offered no obstacle to speed; while the chauffeur was doubtless eager for his bed. + 

As they drew near TroyonтАЩs, however, Lanyard sat up and jealously reconnoitered both sides of the way. + 

тАЬSurely you donтАЩt expect to be kept out?тАЭ the Count asked dryly. тАЬBut that just shows how little you appreciate our good Popinot. HeтАЩll never object to your locking yourself up where he knows he can find youтБатАФbut only to your leaving without permission!тАЭ + 

тАЬSomething in that, perhaps. Still, I make it a rule to give myself the benefit of every doubt.тАЭ + 

There was, indeed, no sign of ambush that he could detect in any quarter, nor any indication that PopinotтАЩs Apaches were posted thereabouts. Nevertheless, Lanyard produced his automatic and freed the safety-catch before opening the door. + 

тАЬA thousand thanks, my dear Count!тАЭ + 

тАЬFor what? Doing myself a service? But you make me feel ashamed!тАЭ + 

тАЬI know,тАЭ agreed Lanyard, depreciatory; тАЬbut thatтАЩs the way I amтБатАФa little devilтБатАФyou really canтАЩt trust me! Adieu, Monsieur le Comte.тАЭ + 

тАЬAu revoir, monsieur!тАЭ + 

Lanyard saw the car round the corner before turning to the entrance of TroyonтАЩs, keeping his weather-eye alert the while. But when the car was gone, the street seemed quite deserted and as soundless as though it had been the thoroughfare of some remote village rather than an artery of the pulsing old heart of Paris. + 

Yet he wasnтАЩt satisfied. He was as little susceptible to psychic admonition as any sane and normal human organism, but he was just then strongly oppressed by intuitive perception that there was something radically amiss in his neighbourhood. Whether or not the result of the CountтАЩs open intimations and veiled hints working upon a nature sensitized by excitement and fatigue, he felt as though he had stepped from the cab into an atmosphere impregnated to saturation with nameless menace. And he even shivered a bit, perhaps because of the chill in that air of early morning, perhaps because a shadow of premonition had fallen athwart his soul.тБатАКтБатАж + 

Whatever its cause, he could find no reason for this; and shaking himself impatiently, pressed a button that rang a bell by the ear of the concierge, heard the latch click, thrust the door wide, and reentered TroyonтАЩs. + 

Here reigned a silence even more marked than that of the street, a silence as heavy and profound as the graveтАЩs, so that sheer instinct prompted Lanyard to tread lightly as he made his way down the passage and across the courtyard toward the stairway; and in that hush the creak of a greaseless hinge, when the concierge opened the door of his quarters to identify this belated guest, seemed little less than a profanity. + 

Lanyard paused and delved into his pockets, nodding genially to the blowsy, sleepy old face beneath the guardianтАЩs nightcap. + 

тАЬSorry to disturb monsieur,тАЭ he said politely, further impoverishing himself in the sum of five francs in witness to the sincerity of his regret. + 

тАЬI thank monsieur; but what need to consider me? ItтАЩs my duty. And what is one interruption more or less? All night they come and go.тБатАКтБатАжтАЭ + 

тАЬGood night, monsieur,тАЭ Lanyard cut short the old manтАЩs garrulity; and went on up the stairs, now a little wearily, of a sudden newly conscious of his vast and enervating fatigue. + 

He thought longingly of bed, yawned involuntarily and, reaching his door, fumbled the key in a most unprofessional way; there were weights upon his eyelids, a heaviness in his brain.тБатАКтБатАж + 

But the key met with no resistance from the wards; and in a trice, appreciating this fact, Lanyard was wide-awake again. + 

No question but that he had locked the door securely, on leaving after his adventure with the charming somnambulist.тБатАКтБатАж + 

Had she, then, taken a whim to his room? + 

Or was this but proof of what he had anticipated in the beginningтБатАФa bit of sleuthing on the part of Roddy? + 

He entertained little doubt as to the correctness of this latter surmise, as he threw the door open and stepped into the room, his first action being to grasp the electric switch and twist it smartly. + 

But no light answered. + 

тАЬHello!тАЭ he exclaimed softly, remembering that the lights could readily have been turned off at the bulbs. тАЬWhatтАЩs the good of that?тАЭ + 

In the same breath he started violently, and swung about. + 

The door had closed behind him, swiftly but gently, eclipsing the faint light from the hall, leaving what amounted to stark darkness. + 

His first impression was that the intruderтБатАФRoddy or whoeverтБатАФhad darted past him and out, pulling the door to in that act. + 

Before he could consciously revise this misconception he was fighting for his life. + 

So unexpected, so swift and sudden fell the assault, that he was caught completely off guard: between the shutting of the door and an onslaught whose violence sent him reeling to the wall, the elapsed time could have been measured by the fluttering of an eyelash. + 

And then two powerful arms were round him, pinioning his hands to his sides, his feet were tripped up, and he was thrown with a force that fairly jarred his teeth, half-stunning him. + 

For a breath he lay dazed, struggling feebly; not long, but long enough to enable his antagonist to shift his hold and climb on top of his body, where he squatted, bearing down heavily with a knee on either of LanyardтАЩs forearms, hands encircling his neck, murderous thumbs digging into his windpipe. + 

He revived momentarily, pulled himself together, and heaved mightily in futile effort to unseat the other. + 

The sole outcome of this was a tightening pressure on his throat. + 

The pain grew agonizing; LanyardтАЩs breath was almost completely shut off; he gasped vainly, with a rattling noise in his gullet; his eyeballs started; a myriad coruscant lights danced and interlaced blindingly before them; in his ears there rang a roaring like the voice of heavy surf breaking upon a rockbound coast. + 

And of a sudden he ceased to struggle and lay slack, passive in the otherтАЩs hands. + 

Only an instant longer was the clutch on his throat maintained. Both hands left it quickly, one shifting to his head to turn and press it roughly cheek to floor. Simultaneously he was aware of the other hand fumbling about his neck, and then of a touch of metal and the sting of a needle driven into the flesh beneath his ear. + 

That galvanized him; he came to life again in a twinkling, animate with threefold strength and cunning. The man on his chest was thrown off as by a young earthquake; and LanyardтАЩs right arm was no sooner free than it shot out with blind but deadly accuracy to the point of his assailantтАЩs jaw. A click of teeth was followed by a sickish grunt as the man lurched over.тБатАКтБатАж + 

Lanyard found himself scrambling to his feet, a bit giddy perhaps, but still sufficiently master of his wits to get his pistol out before making another move. + 