"That--VIPER?" she cried.

"Campbell isn't a viper; he's a cricket--a dramatic cricket,"
declared Bob.

Adoree began to undo the buttons at her back, but Bob seized her
hands.

"Let go. I'll blow up if I see that creature," she exclaimed, in a
kind of subdued shout.

Argument proved vain until Lorelei told her firmly: "You owe it to
yourself, dear. And we WON'T let you go."

The dancer ceased her struggles, her brows puckered. "Perhaps I do
owe it to myself, as you say. Anyhow, I haven't taken a human life
yet, and this is my chance."

"Don't kill him, just stay and spoil his dinner," Lorelei urged.

Determination gleamed in Miss Demorest's countenance. "I'll do it
--he's spoiled many a dinner for me. But give me room. Don't touch
me. I'm distilling poison like a cobra." She seized the gleaming
bread-knife and brandished it. "When the crisis comes, stand
back."

"Seriously, now, Lorelei has told me everything, and I want
Campbell to acknowledge his mistake," said Bob. "The public has
swallowed that royalty hoax, but there's no use deceiving him."