"Oui, monsieur."
Keralio rose. In commanding tones, he said:
"Then go at once."
The valet went to get his hat. As he approached the door Keralio halted him and said:
"What's Handsome doing—keeping sober?"
"He has to, for I lock up all ze liquor. He lives like a lord, buying swell clothes, riding in ze automobile. Last night he lost at ze club $10,000 he had drew from ze bank."
Keralio gave a low whistle.
"The deuce he did! Living high, eh? Well—that's all right. Let him enjoy it. His gay life won't last long—only just as long as it suits my purpose."
"Hush! Not a word—here he is!"
From the landing outside came the sound of a heavy body lurching. Then came the noise of someone groping for the handle, followed by a furious pounding on the wooden panels.