Tutt’s head swam and he sank weakly into his swivel chair.  It was incredible that he, a veteran of the criminal bar, should have been so tricked.  Instantly, as when a reagent is injected into a retort of chemicals and a precipitate is formed leaving the previously cloudy liquid like crystal, Tutt’s addled brain cleared.  He was caught!  The victim of his own asininity.  He dared not look at this woman who had wound him thus round her finger, innocent as he was of any wrongdoing; he was ashamed to think of his wife.

“My Lord!” he murmured, realizing for the first time the depth of his weakness.

“Oh, it isn’t as bad as that!” she laughed.  “Remember you were going to charge Oaklander ten thousand.  This costs you only five.  Special rates for physicians and lawyers!”

“And suppose I don’t choose to give it to you?” he asked.

“Listen here, you funny little man!” she answered in caressing tones that made him writhe.  “You’d stand for twenty if I insisted on it.  Oh, don’t jump!  I’m not going to.  You’re getting off easy—­too easy.  But I want to stay on good terms with you.  I may need you sometime in my business.  Your certified check for five thousand dollars—­and I leave you.”

She struck a match and started to light a tiny gold-tipped cigarette.

“Don’t!” he gasped.  “Not in the office.”

“Do I get the five thousand?”

He ground his teeth, not yet willing to concede defeat.

“You silly old bird!” she said.  “Do you know how many times you’ve had me down here in your office in the last three weeks?  Fifteen.  How many times you’ve taken me out to lunch?  Ten.  How often you’ve called me on the telephone?  Eighty-nine How many times you’ve sent me flowers?  Twelve.  How many letters you’ve written me?  Eleven!  Oh, I realize they’re typewritten, but a photograph enlargement would show they were typed in your office.  Every typewriter has its own individuality, you know.  Your clerks and office boy have heard me call you Sammy.  Why, every time you’ve moved with me beside you someone has seen you.  That’s enough, isn’t it?  But now, on top of all that, you go and hand me exactly what I need on a gold plate.”

He gazed at her stupidly.

“Why, if now you don’t give me that check I shall simply go up to the Biltmore and register as Mrs. Samuel Tutt.  I shall take a room and stay there until you offer me a proper inducement to move on.”  She giggled delightedly.  “It’s marvelous—­absolutely safe,” she quoted.  “They can’t touch me.  You’ll come across inside of two hours.  If you don’t a word to the reporters will start things in the right direction.”

“Don’t!” he groaned.  “I must have been crazy.  That was simply blackmail!”

“That’s exactly what it was!” she agreed.  “There aren’t any letters except these typewritten ones, or photographs, or any evidence at all, but you’re going to give me five thousand dollars just the same.  Just so that your wife won’t know what a silly old fool you’ve been.  Where’s your check book, Sam?”