“By to-morrow morning’s boat,” she answered.  “I am going to send my trunks down to the steamer, and stay with some friends to-night.”

“At least,” he begged, “come down and see Bardsley and Weiss.  I’ll take you down in the automobile.  It shall not detain you five minutes.”

She shook her head.

“I cannot see the faintest use,” she answered, “in my going to visit your friends.  I have really and absolutely parted with the paper, and the person in whose possession it is will no doubt communicate with you.”

“His name?” Littleson demanded.  “I must know his name.”

“That,” she answered, “I decline to tell you; but I dare say, if you hurry back to Mr. Weiss’ office, you will find some news for you.  Don’t look so angry.  We all have our own game to play, you know, Mr. Littleson.  I dare say I have behaved a little shabbily to you, but, you see, I had myself to consider, and in New York you know what that means. Au revoir! I have an idea that I may see something of you in Europe.”

She left Littleson, who went round to the bar of the hotel and had a big drink.  Then he lit a cigarette and returned to his automobile.

“Well,” he muttered, as he swung round toward the city, “I may as well go back and face the music...!”

Weiss’ offices were crowded when Littleson returned.  There was excitement upon ’Change, clerks were rushing about, telephones were ringing.  Weiss himself, with his coat off, stood in the midst of it all, giving orders, answering the telephone, exchanging a few hurried words with numberless callers.  He had a big unlit cigar in his mouth, which he was constantly chewing.  He pushed Littleson into his private office, but he did not follow him for some time.  When at last he came in, the uproar outside was declining.  It was five o’clock, and business was over for the day.  Weiss went to a small cupboard and took out a whisky bottle and some glasses.  Before he spoke a word he had tossed off a drink.

“Big day?” Littleson asked, mechanically.

“The devil’s own day!” Weiss groaned.  “We are in it now thick, all of us, you and I, Higgins and Bardsley.  Do you know that every minute of the time Phineas Duge was supposed to be lying on his back, he was buying on the Chicago market?”

“I am not surprised,” Littleson answered.  “It seems to me we ought to be able to hold our own, though.”

“We may,” Weiss answered, “but it’s a big thing.  Even if we come out safe, we shall come out losers.  Well, did you see the girl?”

Littleson nodded.

“I saw her,” he answered drily.  “I fancy things are not moving our way particularly just now, Weiss.”

“She has not the paper after all?” Weiss exclaimed.

“She has had it and parted with it,” Littleson answered.

Weiss removed his unlit cigar from his mouth, and drew a little breath.

“You d——­d fool!” he said.  “You bungled things, then?”