“You coward!” I said to Louis.

He shrank back against the wall.  He still held the stick in his hand, but he showed not a sign of fight.  The other man stood with clenched fists, as though about to spring upon him, but I stepped between them.

“In the first place,” I said to the newcomer, “you had better look into that room.  You will see that Mr. Delora is not there.  I can assure you, from my own knowledge, that he has never been there.  When you have finished, come back and tell me what you want with him.”

Louis was still staring at me in amazement.  The idea that I had discovered his attempt to make a cat’s-paw of me was dawning upon him slowly, but knowing nothing of the transept, he could not account for my unexpected appearance.  For once, at any rate, he had lost his nerve.  I could see that he was shaking with fear.

“Come, Louis,” I said, “put my stick down and talk like a man, if you can.”

The stick fell from his fingers.  He had scarcely strength enough left to hold it.  Then the man who had been examining Delora’s room came back and stepped past Louis up to me.

“I do not know why you are here, sir,” he said.  “You may be mixed up in this affair or you may not be.  But if you are, let me warn you that you are on the wrong side.  You saw his attempt?” he added, pointing to Louis.  “I am going to wring the life out of him.  He deserves it.”

“No!” I answered, holding him back.  “We will have no violence here.  Louis has a little account to settle with me yet.”

“He has a more serious one with me,” the other muttered.

“Settle it when and where you will,” I said, “but not here.  As for me, I have no longer any interest in or concern with any of you.  I came into this thing by accident, and to-night I go out of it.  You, sir, must leave the hotel at once.  I do not know your name or anything about you.  It is not my concern.  If you have anything to say to Louis, choose another time.”

He looked at me curiously.  I could see that with every nerve in his body he was longing to spring upon Louis.

“You seem to be a masterful person, sir,” he said.  “Why should I obey you?”

“Because I saved your life, for one thing,” I answered, “and because I will allow no violence in this room, for another.  And if you need a third reason,” I added, “because I have the advantage of you in strength.  You need not be afraid of my further interference,” I continued.  “I shall leave London to-morrow, and I hope that I may never see one of you again.  Now will you go?”

“Yes, I will go!” he said.  “Let me tell you this, sir,” he added, as he neared the door.  “Your decision is a wise one.  If you knew whose cause you had been aiding, whose tool you had very nearly become, I think that your manner would be a little more apologetic.”

“I have your word, sir, that you will leave the hotel?” I asked.