showed me that his hired men were not acquainted with the rest of the
night's work.

I gathered from what he had said that the possession of Jacqueline was
vitally important both to Leroux and to Tom Carson, for some reason
connected with the Northern Exploitation Company, and that they had
endeavoured to kidnap her and hold her till the man Louis arrived to
advise them.

"How much do you know?" hissed Simon at me.

"Leroux," I said, "I'm not going to tell you anything. You will
remember that I was employed by Mr. Carson."

"Ain't I as good as Carson? What are you going to do with her?"

"You'd better go back to the office and wait, unless you want to spoil
the game by letting her see you," I said.

I was sure he was hiding from her intentionally, and I could see that
he believed I was working for Carson, for though he scowled fearfully
at me he seemed impressed by my words.

"I don't know whether Tom's running straight or not," he said huskily;
"but let me tell you, young man, it'll pay you to keep in with me, and
if you've got any price, name it!"

He shook his heavy fist over me--I believe the clerks thought he was
going to strike me, for they came hurrying toward us. But I saw
Jacqueline approaching, and, without another word, Leroux turned away.